NORTH RETURN CHEERS WALES

GEORGE NORTH’S return to Wales is set to spark a frenzy in the regions as the giant winger heads home next season.

The 25- year- old announced yesterday that he will be leaving Northampton Saints when his contract expires in May after four years in England.

The 6ft 4in, 17st 2lb back could have stayed in the Premiership and continued his Test career under the new Welsh selection policy, as he has 69 caps.

He was offered a competitive deal to remain but the lure of home was too strong. ‘This has been an incredibly hard decision,’ said North, who missed all Wales’s autumn Tests with a knee injury.

‘Saints have developed me as a player and stuck by me through thick and thin, so it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to move on.

‘I love playing for Northampton Saints and am excited by the potential of the squad that is being assembled but, as a proud Welshman, I felt that now is the right time to move back home despite the compelling offer Saints made me.’

North left the Scarlets in 2013, after starring on the Lions tour of Australia, where he scored two Test tries and famously demonstrated his power by carrying Israel Folau on his back.

Since he has been dogged by concussion and other injuries, unable to hit top form at Franklin’s Gardens. He has played 80 matches and scored 35 tries there so far.

There is sure to be a keenly contested battle for his signature among the Welsh regions with the Dragons eager to make a statement. They are also on the trail of Lion Ross Moriarty, whose Gloucester contract runs out this summer as well.

While a home for North is not yet decided, any region who signs him are likely to make huge commercial gains.

Martyn Phillips, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive, hailed North’s move as a ‘ major signing’.

Warren Gatland, the Wales head coach, said: ‘It’s fantastic he is returning to Wales. We will work with George to determine the best fit for him and will look to announce where he will play in the new year.’