Warren puts North centre stage
GEORGE NORTH has been backed to rediscover his worldclass form and follow in the footsteps of Tana Umaga and Ma’a Nonu on Wales’ summer tour.
Warren Gatland has left nine men who toured with the Lions last year out of his 31-man party for next month’s meeting with South Africa and two Tests in Argentina.
The head coach is using the three clashes to look at younger players ahead of the 2019 World Cup, but North is one of the more experienced members to make the cut.
Giant wing North, who will return to Wales with the Ospreys next season, has endured an injury-hit campaign with Northampton, but Gatland believes he can get the 26-year-old back to his best by using him as a centre option next month.
Former All Blacks stars Umaga and Nonu both started their careers on the wing before switching to midfield, and Gatland believes North can follow suit. “I’ve spoken to George about potentially covering the midfield as I know we’ve used him there in the past,” said Gatland. “He just felt he hasn’t had a lot of rugby and this is a good chance for him to come on tour with us.
“I’ve spoken to him about following other players like Nonu and Umaga, who ended up moving into midfield.
“He gives us a different option, he’s excited about coming on tour and wants to be involved.
“George has found the last year or so frustrating. He’s had a few injuries and pulled out of the Lions, which was disappointing.
“He’s excited about coming back to Wales with the Ospreys for next season and hopefully we can get him back into the sort of world-class form we know he’s capable of.
“The World Cup is part of the reason George decided to come back to Wales. He felt he would be managed well on a national dual contract.
“By his own admission he has not played his best rugby since 2013. He has had good games on and off and has been unlucky with injuries.
“He’s been desperate to get back to being fit, sharp and the player he is capable of being. The key to when he plays well is having lots of touches.
“He causes opposition teams so many problems and we will definitely give him the licence to operate that way. George will benefit from that. Come the World Cup, he could end up on the wing but he gives us another centre option. When he has moved in the past he has done exceptionally well.
“He originally was a midfielder but has played most of his rugby on the wing. It will be great for him to be adept at both positions – being strong on the wing and being able to come in too.”
Wales face the Springboks in Washington on June 2 before Tests with the Pumas the following two Saturdays.
Gatland has named lock Cory Hill and flanker Ellis Jenkins as co-captains, with scrum-half Tomos Williams the only uncapped player on the trip.
Gatland has given his star players the summer off with Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar all rested ahead of next year’s World Cup.
North and his fellow Lion Ross Moriarty are the exceptions, but Wales will still have plenty of experience at their disposal. Props Rob Evans and Samson Lee and Bath lock Luke Charteris are involved as are backs Gareth Anscombe, Scott Williams and Hadleigh Parkes.