Ospreys may rescue North

Sizing cup blow

GEORGE NORTH is set to be offered an escape route from his nightmare at Northampton by the Ospreys.

The Wales wing, below, was slammed by Saints boss Alan Gaffney, who cast doubts on North’s commitment after he missed the defeat by Sale last Saturday.

It led Wales head coach Warren Gatland to offer the 25-year-old two-time Lion, who has already signed a National Dual Contract with the Welsh RU for next season, an early return back home.

“If George wants to come home quicker than the start of next SIZING JOHN, last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, has been ruled out from defending his title a week today.

The eight-year-old, trained in Ireland by Jessica Harrington, was discovered to have a hairline fracture of his pelvis after work yesterday.

“This is a massive blow for all our team,” season we’ll look after him,” said Gatland. If North returned to Wales now Saints would be due compensation and it is still unclear which of Wales’ four regions he wants to join. The Ospreys cooled their interest in North at the start of the year, but since the sacking of head coach Steve Tandy it is understood the club are keen on signing the 71-cap star with their back line wrecked by injuries. A final decision on North’s future is expected at the end of the Six Nations. said Harrington. Jockey Robbie Power, who rode Sizing John to glory 12 months ago, called the news “heartbreaking” on Twitter.

“We’re all very disappointed but don’t worry, he’ll be back,” said Power.