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The Wales legend made his first start for Provence in three months, with the game descending into chaos late on
Wales legend George North made an eventful return to action for French side Provence this weekend, helping his side to stay in the hunt for the Pro D2 title with victory over Aurillac.
The 33-year-old joined the French second-tier side ahead of the 2024/25 season and helped them to the Pro D2 semi-finals in his first campaign. However, North has seen his playing opportunities limited in his second season, featuring in just three matches before being called into head coach Philippe Saint-André’s starting side for the first time in three months on Friday.
After taking to the field at the Stade Maurice-David, the Welsh Test centurion immediately got involved as his side took the lead after just two minutes, with Leo Drouet crossing to score.
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A decoy run from North then opened up space for Caleb Muntz to find Sione Tui with a pinpoint cross-field kick over to the left wing, as Provence pulled further clear of their opponents. However, a disjointed end to the first half saw Aurillac cut the hosts’ lead to four points before the break as Boris Hadinegoro weaved his way through the defence to score.
It was when the players returned to the field for the second half that things began to turn somewhat chaotic, as the heavens opened and a torrential downpour began.
The rain was so heavy it could be heard on live coverage of the match, pounding the gantry and television cameras as players tried to compose themselves in the conditions.
With lightning also reportedly striking near the stadium, French media described the conditions as “apocalyptic,” with a report from local newspaper La Provence reading: “The weather gods didn’t make things easy for the 30 players, the weather was atrocious, not fit for a rugby player… 80 crazy minutes, with rain, hail, thunder, and lightning.”
Forced to go back to basics amid the biblical conditions, Malohi Suta powered over to give Provence some breathing room, before Giullaume Piazzoli secured the bonus point with a try shortly before the hour mark, making it 26-10 to the hosts.
That was to be the game’s final score, but there was still time for another dramatic moment, as referee Remi Aiguebonne was knocked unconscious moments before full-time.
The official was stood by a ruck when he was caught in the jaw by the shoulder of Aurillac full-back Dachi Papunashvili, knocking him out and sending him crashing to the ground.
With the rain continuing to pour, Aiguebonne was treated on the field for several minutes before being helped off the pitch by medics, with assistant Berenice Loubet taking his position for the final moments of the match.
After the full-time whistle sounded, however, Provence boss Saint-André gave a positive update on the referee after a “crazy” evening, as he said: “He’s fine. I saw him in the locker room.
“This evening has been crazy. I think he should have stopped the match when lightning was striking just a few meters from the stands. Afterwards, I’m happy with the boys’ attitude and the attacking bonus point, even if I had to raise my voice at half-time.”
Following the match, North took to social media to mark his return to action, as he wrote: “Been a minute….. wicked to be back on the pitch. Day for a duck I think!”
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