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Wales rugby internationals George North and Rhys Priestland have been chosen as the faces of World Book Day 2012 in Wales.

The players, who both play for west Wales regional team the Scarlets, are currently undergoing a rigorous training camp in Poland in the run up to the Six Nations tournament.

George North reading at Parc y Scarlets. Photo: Patrick Olner/Welsh Books Council

But before they departed the two players took part in a photo shoot at their home ground Parc y Scarlets so they could both feature on posters to promote World Book Day in Wales.

Over 15,000 of these posters are being distributed across Wales to highlight the event, and are being sent to every school in Wales plus libraries, book shops, prisons and workplaces.

Fly half Priestland commented, "It's a great privilege to be chosen for the World Book Day 2012 poster campaign.

"As sportsmen we spend a great deal of time training for a match or tournament, but in my down time I enjoy reading - either a rugby magazine, news online, catching up with friends and fans on social media sites or any biographies."

Rhys Priestland reading Roald Dahl's classic Danny Champion Of The World in Welsh, Danny Pencampwr Y Byd

Winger North added, "Reading is an important skill whichever job you choose, but it is also a great way to relax after a hard day's training."

World Book Day 2012 falls on Thursday 1 March. The day was designated by UNESCO as worldwide celebration of books and reading and it is now celebrated in over 100 countries.

Find out more on and for more on World Book Day in Wales visit the . Let us know if you're planning to mark the day!