WELSH WINGER GEORGE North has still not been cleared to play for Northampton, nine days after declaring himself ‘symptom free’.
His neurologist would appear to disagree with North’s self-assessment and so the explosive wing is set to miss Saturday’s Premiership semi-final against Saracens.
North has not played for his club since being knocked out in an innocuous collision with the leg of Wasps’ Ashley Johnson in late March.
Yesterday, Northampton forwards coach Dorian West seemed to be in the habit of assuming North would not be part of the back-line, saying
Advertisement
“I wouldn’t have thought George would be available this weekend, no.
“He’s on the return to play protocols so you don’t really know where he is on that, he’s with the medical people.
“They do different bits and bobs each day and he’ll be right when he’s right. I haven’t got a clue whether he’d make the final. It’s one of those things, he’s available when he’s available.”
North’s concussion in the Premiership fixture came hot on the heels of another knock-out blow suffered in the Six Nations opener against Wales. The 23-year-old also suffered a concussion during Wales’ November Test defeat to New Zealand and his international head coach Warren Gatland has publicly expressed fear over what would happen if the wing was rushed back on to the field.
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
“It must be difficult for George if you have a decision to make in terms of looking after your head for your long-term future and your career after rugby. But also with a World Cup coming around the corner, but you have to sacrifice Premiership finals and semi-finals to do it — it’s a nightmare situation to be in.”
Wood added: “He’s going through it a bit, especially at this time of the year when there are big games to play and you’re not sure where you stand. I guess you feel good within yourself, physically he’s big and strong and feels fit from the neck down. It must be a really difficult one to manage.
‘I don’t know where he’s at in terms of return to play but we do miss him because of who he is. You can’t replace George North…”
George North's 'nightmare situation' continues with concussion to keep him out of semi-final
WELSH WINGER GEORGE North has still not been cleared to play for Northampton, nine days after declaring himself ‘symptom free’.
His neurologist would appear to disagree with North’s self-assessment and so the explosive wing is set to miss Saturday’s Premiership semi-final against Saracens.
North has not played for his club since being knocked out in an innocuous collision with the leg of Wasps’ Ashley Johnson in late March.
Yesterday, Northampton forwards coach Dorian West seemed to be in the habit of assuming North would not be part of the back-line, saying
“I wouldn’t have thought George would be available this weekend, no.
“He’s on the return to play protocols so you don’t really know where he is on that, he’s with the medical people.
“They do different bits and bobs each day and he’ll be right when he’s right. I haven’t got a clue whether he’d make the final. It’s one of those things, he’s available when he’s available.”
North’s concussion in the Premiership fixture came hot on the heels of another knock-out blow suffered in the Six Nations opener against Wales. The 23-year-old also suffered a concussion during Wales’ November Test defeat to New Zealand and his international head coach Warren Gatland has publicly expressed fear over what would happen if the wing was rushed back on to the field.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, North’s team-mate, flanker Tom Wood, called it a nightmare situation.
“It must be difficult for George if you have a decision to make in terms of looking after your head for your long-term future and your career after rugby. But also with a World Cup coming around the corner, but you have to sacrifice Premiership finals and semi-finals to do it — it’s a nightmare situation to be in.”
Wood added: “He’s going through it a bit, especially at this time of the year when there are big games to play and you’re not sure where you stand. I guess you feel good within yourself, physically he’s big and strong and feels fit from the neck down. It must be a really difficult one to manage.
‘I don’t know where he’s at in terms of return to play but we do miss him because of who he is. You can’t replace George North…”
Cian Healy expects to be back hitting scrums at least 7 weeks before the World Cup
O’Connor leaves ‘disappointed and frustrated’ with Leinster form
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Concussion england 2015 head games north star Rugby World Cup rwc 15 THE GOOD NORTH Wales