Netflix show reveals moment George North spotted big problem within Wales squad
The second series of Six Nations: Full Contact will be released later this month
The 2025 Six Nations has nearly arrived, and so too has the second series of Netflix's documentary about the tournament.
Six Nations: Full Contact will return to our screens on Wednesday, January 29, two days before Wales help get the competition underway as they take on France in the tournament opener in Paris.
The first series proved popular amongst rugby fans, who were, amongst other things, given an insight into the turmoil that unfolded in the Welsh camp amid the threat of a player strike during the 2023 campaign. Each episode gave a taste of internal selection rivalries within the different squads, as well as some players' struggles off the field.
Little has changed with the format this time around, although it is likely to be even more uncomfortable viewing for Wales fans as the eight-part series charts their winless Six Nations campaign which saw them pick up their first wooden spoon in 21 years.
There is plenty of focus on Warren Gatland and his squad, with episodes exploring the challenges of coaching a young, inexperienced side, the plucky performances they gave and the ultimate disappointment of ending the campaign without a single win to their name.
Viewers hear insight from the likes of Gatland, tournament captain Dafydd Jenkins and new call-ups Mackenzie Martin and Cam Winnett. But much of the focus is on one of the most experienced heads in the camp, with the spotlight cast on George North in more than one episode.
The first episode featuring Wales sees him introduced as a hugely respected member of the squad, as he is seen mentoring his younger teammates during a training session. "Nobody communicates around here," he tells them. "You've got to use your words."
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Jenkins, who was handed the captaincy for the tournament at just 21, then tells the documentary crew: "George definitely brings a lot of confidence to the team, gets you really motivated. When he speaks, everyone listens".
In a later episode, North - who is praised as a '"leader" and "legend" by Martin and Winnett - admits that his role within the squad has changed. "I am very much a senior player," he says. "I am an energy guy, I am a hype guy." He says Gatland has made it clear to him his job is to educate the youngsters coming through.
"Gats is very clear on my role, it's to educate the young guys coming in. Where we are now, we've got more than a couple young guys finding their feet. Most of our boys are finding their feet."
North also shows that he is not afraid of speaking out, with the cameras capturing a moment during a team meeting where his frustration compelled him to make his feelings known towards his fellow squad members.
As they prepare to take on France, defence coach Mike Forshaw is heard asking the assembled squad: "Where do we not want France on the field this week? What's our thoughts on that?" When his question was met with nothing but silence by those in the room, North interjected.
"Just one point now," the Welsh centurion says as he addresses his teammates. "Let's not sit here silent in meetings and have the same voices talk all the time. You've all got an opinion, you've all got a voice.
"It's only going to make the team better, so let's not sit there in f***ing silence for the rest of these meetings."
He lets his frustration show again later in the episode as it is revealed that he has been dropped by Gatland for the clash with France, a move which he described as a "full kick in the nuts", and one that he admits made him question his coach.
North is seen wincing as he learns he has not been included in the matchday squad, before telling the documentary: "I don't agree with not being picked, definitely not, but once the boss man makes his decision, then I have to respect that. It's crap, it's s***. You give so much to be in that jersey, then you don't get picked."
"Did I question the boss? Yeah. Did I get the answer I wanted? No. But in 14 years, I've never changed Gats' mind. I understand what he's trying to do, and I have to respect that."
In the end, North's Wales career came to an end at the culmination of that Six Nations, having decided that his 121st international match - a final weekend meeting with Italy in Cardiff - would be his last. Cameras capture him weighing up his retirement decision at home with his Olympian wife Becky, while he is left on the verge of tears as he reflects on walking away from Welsh rugby.
Of course, he did not bid farewell in the way he would have wished, as he ruptured his Achilles late on in a match that Wales would lose 24-21, to condemn them to a Six Nations whitewash and the wooden spoon. However, the documentary reveals his last defiant act in the famous red jersey.
"They called for the stretcher," he says. "But I was adamant I was never going to get stretchered off, not in my last game." However, clearly heartbroken, he then admits it "aches" to think about leaving Test rugby in such fashion.
Elsewhere, the series - which is made by Oscar-winning producer James Gay-Rees - also explores the tragedy that hit the England camp when captain Jamie George's mother passed away during the tournament, as well as Italy's record performance, Ireland's title win and the rise of stars like Manny Feyi-Waboso.
Six Nations: Full Contact S2 premieres globally on Netflix on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
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