The George North interview: The truth about my future and my life outside rugby

George North’s future is a hot topic right now considering the Wales star is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the Ospreys to ambitious French PRO D2 outfit Provence Rugby next season. But it’ll come as no surprise to learn there is more than one club interested in acquiring the services of the 118-cap international.

So, where will North be playing his rugby next season? “The answer to that is I don’t know,” North tells WalesOnline. “I like the fact that a lot of people have got more information than me about my future which is always good.

READ MORE: Scarlets set to sign highly-rated South African star

READ MORE: English star waits to be told if he’s allowed to play for Wales as coach reveals ‘necessity’

“For me I’d like to get my business sorted sooner rather than later. For me it’s a about making a decision which is best for me and my family.

“Hopefully we’ll get something sorted in the next few weeks but it depends on how you want to write it. I’m still looking at options, and nobody has spoken about Japan which I found interesting.

“For me I’m looking at what’s best for me to keep my international career going as well as what’s best for my family.” Many media publications in France are adamant North has already signed for Provence Rugby but has the north Walian actually made a definitive decision on his future?

“Not yet, no,” says North. Now the elephant in the room has been addressed we move on to life away from the field.

Over the past year North has been occupied by Wales’ assault on the Rugby World Cup but now that is over the Ospreys man can spend more time concentrating on his business interests. Away from the field North is the co-owner of a motorcycle cafe in Monmouthshire called Baffle Haus, while he also has a series of bakeries called Ground in the Cardiff area.

So, how did it all start? “Essentially it was five like-minded guys who got together over a couple of pints,” he said.

“We worked out there was something that we would want to go to which was unavailable to us here in Wales. We thought we’d give it a go. Naturally then we got it up and running but Covid hit which was a big shock to many businesses across the world.

“Once we opened back up post-Covid we realised there was a massive want for a destination spot, a coffee shop, or an events space that was open to all with four wheels, two wheels, and everything in between. It’s getting busier and busier which is always good.

“I work remotely a lot of the time and then I try to get there at least once a week when I can within reason due to my rugby commitments. I’m there in the shop, making coffee and speaking to people.

“But a lot of my stuff is remote and I focus on bringing brands and relationships in to use the space for displaying new bikes, displaying cars, new products, new