Red card clanger earns North four game ban

OSPREYS wing George North has been suspended for four matches after his red card in the 20-20 draw with the Dragons on Sunday.

North was sent off for a dangerous challenge in the 14th minute on Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt. The offence carried an eightweek suspension but was halved due to North’s clean disciplinary record.

It was the first red card of North’s career.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: “Moments change games. George is disappointed and he has apologised to the team and everybody knows George is not a malicious guy.”

New signing Stephen Myler opened the scoring with a penalty, before North powerfully finished off a neat passing move. Myler converted from the try-line.

Dragons responded with a clever try from Hewitt, with Myler being forced off for a few minutes after being injured in the tackle.

Rookie Josh Thomas came on for his first league appearance and his restart led to the defining moment.

Hewitt jumped for the ball and North collided with him, causing the Dragons wing to land dangerously. Dragons took advantage and prop Leon Brown scored from 20m. Myler returned to slot his second penalty before Ospreys hooker Sam Parry sprinted over.

Sam Davies, who had missed two earlier kicks, slotted a penalty to reduce the Dragons’ half-time deficit to 20-15. Full-back Dafydd Howells had a try disallowed after losing the ball in the act of scoring but Hewitt crossed in the corner to level the scores. Davies’ match-winning conversion sailed wide.