WE’RE NEVER REALLY SAFE
North’s fears ahead of World Cup
GEORGE NORTH has admitted his bruising profession puts him at constant risk of injury- enforced retirement but remains optimistic about his chances of being fit to play for wales at the world Cup. Having been sidelined because of concussion since March, the 23-year- old Northampton star was yesterday named in warren Gatland’s 47-man welsh training squad along with nine other England-based players.
Gatland recently expressed his concern that North — who has resumed running but not contact — could be forced to hang up his boots prematurely.
‘It brings home the reality of what injuries, including concussion, can do,’ North told Sportsmail. ‘You’re only ever one game away from never playing again. That’s the risk we take. It’s not something to laugh and joke about.
‘when I return, I want to know I’ve done everything right and not put myself in harm’s way. It’s been frustrating but you’ve only got one head and your health and wellbeing come above rugby.’
North hopes to resume full contact later in the summer, with wales coaches planning their first ‘bone-on-bone’ sessions during a nine-day camp in Doha on July 20. Gatland will narrow down his squad to 31 at the end of the summer and North has not ruled out a return in the warm-up Tests against Ireland and Italy.
‘My head’s all right — it’s still attached!’ said the wing. ‘Initially I was getting headaches. It was daily to begin with and, as you recover, they get less and less frequent. wales want me taking contact at the end of July or early August. Hopefully I can get in for the warm-up games.’
Tighthead prop samson Lee, who ruptured an achilles during the six Nations, is also fighting to be fit. Yorkshire-born front row Tomas Francis could win his first cap if Lee does not recover, while Gloucester back row Ross Moriarty — another player eligible to play for England — has also received a call-up. Forwards coach Robin McBryde said: ‘Ross has the quality to push in the six and eight positions. He is a welsh-qualified player and we are trying not to miss anyone out of the net. Tomas has been so effective in the scrum for Exeter and he is hungry for the challenge.’
As well as Doha, Gatland will take his squad to training bases in switzerland and Poland which the coach warned will be nothing like ‘holiday camps’. North was speaking at Dove Men+Care’s launch as official tournament supplier of the World Cup. For a chance to win tickets #scrumtogether on @dovemen.