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George North: Grand Slam best day of my life

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What a day! That was probably the best day of my life - certainly the best day of my rugby career.

I believe we deserved that silverware and hopefully it’s just the start of something. The sun was shining in Wales on Sunday and everybody just seemed happier. Everyone was also wearing sunglasses because their eyes were sore...

On Saturday morning there was an extra edge in the air.

Everyone was trying to deny it but waking up on the morning of a Grand Slam game does feel different. Everyone was like, ‘Yeah I’m fine, just chilling out’, but most of the boys were buzzing. I certainly was: I woke up at a ridiculous time - 6.50am, and kick-off was not until 2.45pm.

Grand Slam: George lifts the 6 Nations trophy

For the bus ride into Cardiff one of the analysts had made a motivational video of all our best bits from the tournament. Cardiff was pounding even at midday. You should have seen the crowds. They were all going bonkers, I think everyone was already half-drunk. It was a hell of an atmosphere. It was the typical mad-Taff way, everyone getting behind us. It was brilliant.

As soon as we got to the stadium, it was head on, focus.

I got through the warm-up and thought, ‘I’m doing all right here, I’m not getting too emotional’, and then as soon as the anthem started playing it was like, ‘Here we go’. But as soon as kick-off comes you’re fine. You’re there, in the game.

I looked up when it was 79 minutes and 34 seconds on the clock and we were comfortable on the ball. I could see Rhys Priestland telling the forwards to slow it down and go one more time. I started running across the pitch - probably a little early. The sound when Rhys kicked the ball away was just immense. Unbelievable. Then we were jumping up and down together, chanting: ‘When I say Grand you say Slam!’ It was man-hugs galore.

High hopes: North jumps to pluck the ball from the sky

I will never forget the reception we got during the final lap.

Usually, quite a lot of people leave before that but you couldn’t see an empty seat. Everyone was screaming ‘Wales’ and you could see the excitement this one tournament can bring to a nation. As soon as that ball was kicked into touch there was such relief that we had achieved what we set out to achieve.

In the changing room Warren Gatland came round and shook hands and said well done to everyone, that this is where we want to be and now we have to keep it going. Gatland thanked us for all our hard work, the hours, training knee-deep in snow in Poland, dealing with the pressure of being favourites - it was all worth it.

Everyone got into their tuxedos and we had the post-match function.

It was at the Hilton, thanking the referees and the opposition. Then we had a function for family and friends where they come in and have a few drinks with us. After that a few boys could go into town and enjoy the nightlife if they wished...

Night on the town: Wales' players celebrated in Cardiff city centre

Cardiff was bouncing. I went into town for a quiet drink with a few of the boys and we had to leave sharpish. We were just trying to get a quiet drink. There’s that cliche about brothers in arms but it is true. After all the pain you go through with the  20-odd boys on the pitch, we are brothers in a way and it is nice to share it over a beer. My phone died too so my mates were trying to get hold of me and I couldn’t get hold of anyone.

I went for Sunday lunch at my girlfriend’s house but got a massive craving on the way and stopped at McDonald’s for a milkshake.

It’s nice to be able to do that. I start training with the Scarlets on Thursday morning so I’ll go home and see my mum and dad first. It’s important to get a bit of down time away from rugby. Just general slobbing out — go for a walk, sit on the sofa, have a cup of tea with a packet of biscuits...what more can you ask for?

A belated happy Mother’s Day to everyone - particularly my mum!

I also want to say thank you for all the support from the Welsh public and my sponsors. It has been so appreciated.

 George North is supporting RBS RugbyForce, the community rugby programme that is improving club facilities across the nation. To register your club for the RBS RugbyForce Weekend on June 2 and 3, visit: www.rbs.com/rugbyforce

  More... Wales 16 France 9: Dragons avenge Auckland and win third Grand Slam in eight years Grand Slam winning captain Warburton to see specialist over shoulder injury



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