SPOTLIGHT: Wales veteran George North believes head coach Warren Gatland is the right man to lead the national team despite the New Zealander leading the side to a record 12 straight Test defeats.

The 61-year-old Gatland returned to the role in 2023 but his second spell has been disastrous especially compared to his first stint when he won three Six Nations Grand Slams.

North made his debut as a teenage winger under Gatland in 2010 before retiring last March after 121 Wales appearances and three Tests for the British and Irish Lions.

Since ending his international career North has joined an expanding cohort of international stars in the French second-tier with southerners Provence.

“I have a lot of confidence in Gats and I’m probably biased because of the years I spent working with him,” North told AFP on Tuesday.

“International rugby is a brutal place and if you’re not on your money straight away, it’s tough,” the 32-year-old added.

Gatland has seen a host of experienced names, such as North, hang up their international boots since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

For the upcoming Six Nations, which starts with a trip to Paris on January 31, former Ireland boss Gatland has named old heads in No.8 Taulupe Faletau, fullback Liam Williams, and winger Josh Adams in his youthful squad.

*See also: Wales coach Gatland brings in veterans for Six Nations

“There’s a bit more balance than we had previously,” North said.

“Having Taulupe [Faletau] back is brilliant, Liam Williams brings that experience at the back and Josh [Adams], looking at his form for Cardiff is finding his feet,” he added.

North moved to Aix-en-Provence, inland from Marseille, with glorious sunshine and a laid-back Mediterranean mentality this season on a two-year deal with the club eyeing Top 14 promotion.

The former Scarlets back only made his Provence debut last week after suffering an Achilles injury in his final Wales appearance 10 months ago.

“I sip on rose all day,” North joked.

“My wife and my two boys are really enjoying the lifestyle and the different culture.

‘It’s really good to get involved and get stuck into learning French,” Wales’ third-most capped player added.

This Friday, North is in line for his home debut at the 8,500-capacity Stade Maurice David which has been sold-out since the turn of the week, against ProD2 leaders Grenoble.

“I do feel pressure, there’s been pressure for the last 15 years,” North said.

“I’m excited to get out there.

“Hopefully this could be the catalyst for us to kick on the second half of season,” he added.

The game will have an added edge to it for North as his fellow former Wales international Sam Davies is set to feature for the visitors at flyhalf.

Davies guided Grenoble to a promotion play-off Final loss last season as the league’s leading scorer.

“I’m sure we’ll come across each other, hopefully more than once. Sam is doing incredible stuff for Grenoble,” North said.

“He’s an immense talent for them.

“Hopefully we can we can mitigate how much speed and fast ball they have and really go toe-to-toe with them,” he added.