Saints punish North for skipping training but he’ll stay … for now

GEORGE NORTH was given a slap on the wrist by Northampton last night for missing training. But the wing will now not leave before his contract expires at the end of the season unless one of the Welsh regions swoop in the next couple of weeks. North faced talks with senior figures at the club after he was said to be ‘not mentally ready’ to face Sale at the start of March, a claim that angered the player. And yesterday Saints decided to discipline North after he missed training in that Sale week. Chief executive Mark Darbon said: ‘George accepts the disciplinary action we have taken.’ Meanwhile Billy Vunipola is a doubt for Saracens’ European Cup quarter-final against Leinster on Sunday week as he struggles to recover from a broken arm. Sarries chief Mark McCall defended Maro Itoje from accusations of fatigue. ‘Maro’s playing record over the last 20 weeks is 10 games played, so that’s 10 weekends when he hasn’t played,’ said McCall.