Wednesday 22 November 2017 17:10, UK
Winger George North will leave Northampton at the end of the season and return to Wales on a national dual contract.
North, who has won 69 Wales caps and scored 30 tries, will depart at the conclusion of the current Aviva Premiership season, the WRU have confirmed.
Northampton released their own statement confirming 25-year-old North's departure, revealing the player "feels it is the right time for him to return to Wales".
"While we are disappointed to lose a player of George's quality we respect and understand his decision to move back to Wales to be closer to home," director of rugby Jim Mallinder said in the club statement.
"He will leave with our full support and best wishes for the future.
"I know how difficult a decision this has been for George, but in the end the emotional pull of settling back in Wales outweighed his desire to remain in Northampton and we respect that," Mallinder added.
The WRU took to social media following the announcement to welcome the 25-year-old "back home".
It is not known at this stage which of the four Welsh regions he will join.
