Folau carry 'doesn't half put a smile on my face' - North's iconic Lions moment
'Lions history is so unique, so special'
Despite already being a Six Nations winner, life "got busy" for North after that tour."I'd just joined Northampton, so 2013 put me into a different bracket when I came home and it was amazing to be recognised for what you do," he adds.So what does he think about when it comes to the British and Irish Lions? Is it that 2013 tour, or the 2017 tour to New Zealand, which for him ended in injury before the Test matches began?"I think about the history of the Lions. It's something that's so unique, so special, that when you're in that environment you can't help but feel it and carry it and that's something I think is incredible," he says."That honour you have and the responsibility you have for that jersey certainly kept me fighting hard every day and at my best."From a personal point of view 2013 was probably the best rugby I've ever played. It was certainly a tour that for me was an incredible experience, on the field, the players I got to play with, what we did and the ability to tour an amazing country like Australia."North, who went on to win 121 caps for Wales, is still only 33 and now playing for Provence in the French second division, from where he will watch the Lions as a fan. Does he miss it?"Do you know what, when I was [in Australia] I was going 'maybe I can still go', like most ex-players," he reveals."I absolutely loved my tour, what I was able to achieve and do, but it's time for these boys now to find their feet."Does he have a prediction for 2025?"I was thinking about this. Controversially I'm going to go Australia win the first one, Lions win the second, and it goes down to the third and Lions win 2-1."That's what happened against Australia in 1989, I say."Do you know what, I was a 1992 baby," he chuckles. "I'll have to take your word for it."
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