George North scored two tries for the Barbarians in his final appearance before retirement as Wales narrowly beat the invitational side 33-31 at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
North came off the bench in the second half to a colossal ovation as the Wales great brought the curtain down on a brilliant career against the country that saw him score 47 tries in 121 caps.
North’s first touch was a familiar one as the giant wing took Harry Plummer’s pass and blasted his way through two defenders to score.
After crossing the whitewash for the second time, North fittingly had the last word when he converted Santiago Arata’s goal with the final act of the game.
This win was the first time Wales have won back-to-back games since the 2023 World Cup.
Having beaten Italy in March to end a three-year wait for a Six Nations win, Wales will go into the upcoming inaugural Nations Championship with increased confidence, especially as they were without their English and French-based players.
Flyhalf Dan Edwards contributed 14 points with two tries and a couple of conversions, while Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ellis Mee also crossed. Sam Costelow added two conversions.
The Barbarians responded through Vincent Koch and Alex Nankivell as well as North’s intervention.
Wales were without 13 players on the books of English and French clubs as the game fell outside World Rugby’s official window, but forwards Teddy Williams and Jac Morgan were both available from long-term injury.
British and Irish Lions flanker Morgan had not worn Wales colors since dislocating his shoulder while scoring a try against Argentina in November.
Wales were quickly out of the blocks on a sweltering south-west London afternoon and Hardy sneaked over for a fifth-minute try which Edwards converted.
North says goodbye after its last game.
The Barbarians responded quickly when South African prop Koch touched down under a pile of bodies, but Plummer’s conversion attempt hit a cross and the players were soon grateful for the first hydration break.
Taine Plumtree’s line-out sparked a Wales attack that saw the impressive Aaron Wainwright hold on to a cross, but Hardy’s long pass set up a simple score for Edwards, who added.
Wainwright should have benefited from Dewi Lake’s midfield break but the No.8 was let down by the whore’s poor pass and the Barbarians defense recovered.
Wales kept the scoreboard ticking as Hardy spotted a huge gap in the Barbarians’ defense and Edwards collected the kick for his second try.
Replacement scrum-half Morgan-Williams impressed with a show-and-go try, but Nankivell’s quickfire score for Baa Baas made it 26-17 on the hour.
Mee crossed for Wales’ fifth try, while North made a fitting end to his illustrious career, scoring a second try and the final point of the game with a conversion.