Wales edge Barbarians 33-31 as George North scores twice in farewell appearance

Wales claimed their first successive wins since the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a hard-fought 33-31 victory over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in south west London, setting up a confident Nations Championship campaign — though the afternoon was shared with a bittersweet farewell to one of Welsh rugby’s greatest servants.

George North, retiring after 121 caps and 47 tries for Wales, came off the Barbarians bench to score twice in what proved a fitting send-off. The giant wing’s first try came from a Plummer pass, North barging through two defenders with characteristic power, before he added a second late on to give the Barbarians a fighting chance at 33-31. North also converted Santiago Arata’s score with the final act of the match, ensuring the crowd at Allianz Stadium gave him the farewell he deserved.

Wales were without 13 players contracted to English and French clubs, as the fixture fell outside World Rugby’s official international window, but the depleted squad showed enough quality to record a morale-boosting result. Outside-half Dan Edwards was the standout performer, contributing 14 points through two tries and two conversions, while Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ellis Mee also crossed the whitewash. Sam Costelow added two further conversions.

Wales were sharp from the outset on a sweltering afternoon, with Hardy sniping over for a fifth-minute try that Edwards converted. The Barbarians responded quickly through South Africa prop Vincent Koch, but Harry Plummer’s conversion struck a post. Edwards then gathered Hardy’s kick to score his second try, before Morgan-Williams added a show-and-go effort and Mee crossed for Wales’ fifth.

Alex Nankivell’s quickfire score made it 26-17 on the hour and kept the Barbarians in contention, but Wales ultimately held on despite North’s late heroics threatening to steal the result.

Among the positives for Wales head coach was the return of British and Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan, who had not worn the red jersey since dislocating his shoulder against Argentina in November. Uncapped props Rhys Barratt and Ben Warren also made their mark after coming on at half-time.

The win follows Wales’ Six Nations victory over Italy in March — their first in that competition in three years — and gives the squad genuine momentum heading into the inaugural Nations Championship, where they face Fiji in Cardiff next week.