Six Nations: Pitch invader during Wales' victory over France revealed to be George North's father
Father ran on to pitch in Paris to celebrate his son's try
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales got their 6 Nations campaign back on track with a 16-6 win over France in Paris, with George North scoring a crucial try eight minutes from time. But while the Welsh side celebrated the score that would end their eight-game losing streak, one member of the crowd got a little too excited.
North’s father David suddenly appeared on the pitch to celebrate with his son, running from the stands without a steward in sight. Despite the jubilation of the moment, George failed to notice that it was his dad grabbing him from behind and not one of his teammates, with a few startled looks aimed in David’s direction.
Eventually, David was apprehended by the on-rushing stewards and dragged away, still celebrating George’s 12th try for his country as the players returned to their own half – with a smile appearing on fellow winger Alex Cuthbert’s face as he identified who the pitch invader was.
It is not the first time a family member has invaded the pitch though. France No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy was involved in an on-field scrap when his side Biarritz met Basque rivals Bayonne in November 2011. When Harinordoquy was left to fend for himself, an unlikely figure emerged from the stand to try and land a punch on Bayonne‘s Jean-Jo Marmouyet.
Before he could, Marmouyet’s colleague Benjamin Boyet hurled him to the ground, before realising it was none other than Lucian Harinordoquy, Imanol’s raging father. The fight quickly fizzled out and Lucian was dragged away, with both sets of players bemused at what had just happened – many of the Bayonne players knew Lucian due to playing alongside Imanol in the national side.
David North will no doubt remain proud of his son for his brilliant finish at the Stade de France, though maybe next time he’ll keep his celebrations confined to the stands rather than the pitch.
You can see the video of his invasion by clicking here.
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