Galloping George is ready for England
KEN PISI notched a fine try-double but it was his wing partner George North who will be giving England nightmares this week after a rampaging display.
Making his first appearance in a month following a knee injury, Wales star North demonstrated his readiness for Saturday’s crunch Six Nations clash at Twickenham by proving far too hot for Harlequins to handle during a coruscating 80 minutes.
After giving notice of his intent by being held-up in the opening minute, the giant wing opened the scoring on six minutes from Mikey Haywood’s astute pass and thereafter ripped through Quins virtually at will, busting huge tackles along the way.
His powerful run at the death brought the Franklin’s Gardens faithful to their feet and provided a fitting climax to a contest in which Saints dominated the visitors to record their fourth win in five games and book an Anglo-Welsh semi-final place.
Two-try hero Pisi was happy to heap praise on North, telling “It’s good to see George firing again because he’s an inspirational guy we all look up to. He brings real spark and on that performance he deserves to get back in the Welsh team.”
Pisi added: “I was pleased with my own game, too, and it’s great that we’re in the semi-finals. The boys were up for it and we’re on a winning streak now and wanted to make a statement. Now we can concentrate on getting back up the Premiership.”
North was by no means the only star of Northampton’s show, with Piers Francis, on his first start since December, showing why England boss Eddie Jones rates him so highly with a display that combined panache on the ball with excellent kicking.
In tandem with half-back partner Cobus Reinach, Francis ran the show and, with the tireless Haywood popping up in support with lung-bursting regularity, Quins were never seriously in the contest after the hooker had laid on North’s early try.
Quins were then masters of their own downfall when Dave Lewis’ errant pass allowed the impressive Jamie Gibson to sprint clear, before Haywood, combining with Reinach, again provided the scoring pass for the energetic Tom Stephenson.
Ahsee Tuala bagged try No.3 with a walk-in score after James Lang slipped and Saints had the bonuspoint they needed for qualification on 30 minutes when Stephenson sent David Ribbans racing clear and Pisi flattened Lang on his way to the line.
Harlequins rallied briefly and Mark Lambert stretched over on the stroke of half-time. However, the North show resumed after the interval, with one thrilling run and a combination play with Nic Groom eventually leading to Pisi’s second try.
Joe Marchant bagged a late consolation for Quins but forwards coach Graham Rowntree was left clutching for bright spots on a harrowing night.
He said: “It was nice having James Horwill and Sam Twomey back from injury and Luke Wallace played well in defeat, but our errors killed us. Defensively, breakdown and at the set-piece, we couldn’t string any starting possession together and you can’t do that against good teams.”