Wales backs coach Rob Howley has challenged George North to match his form with Northampton Saints when he plays for Wales in the Six Nations this weekend.

The wing has scored 12 tries in 24 starts since signing for the Aviva Premiership side in 2013, but struggled in the opening round of the Six Nations for his national side before missing their win over Scotland with a concussion.

Howley told BBC Sport: "He has been playing particularly well for Northampton, but has not hit the straps he, and we, would have liked on the international stage. That is the challenge for every player wearing the national jersey.

"He is an exceptional player. George scored the last time we were [in Paris] in 2013 and last year in Cardiff when they messed up at the back in defence. So he has a pretty good try-scoring record and hopefully it will continue on the weekend.

"If you think when we gave George his first cap back in 2010 against South Africa when he was just 18, and you look back at that performance at such a young age, he showed a maturity on the wing and the number of touches he had, scoring two great tries. That's the question we want to keep asking of George."

Wales face France in their third match of this year's competition.