North’s on the road to recovery

GEORGE North has been given the “green light” to win his 100th Wales cap against England in the Six Nations Championship.

North missed Wales’ second Six Nations win against Scotland last weekend with a foot injury.

But the 28-year-old British and Irish Lions star has returned to training ahead of England’s visit to Cardiff on Saturday week.

Wales attack coach Stephen Jones said: “George is making good progress, every day he is improving. He’s taken part in some sort of training already, which is great, and that’s the good thing from our perspective. “I believe it is a full green light.” North’s fellow centres Johnny Williams and Jonathan Davies are also back in training to strengthen head coach Wayne Pivac’s midfield options, while flanker Josh Navidi has overcome the neck injury which forced him to miss the Scotland win.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny, who was injured at Murrayfield, and wing Hallam Amos are going through HIA protocols. Scrumhalf Tomos Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring problem.

Josh Adams, top try scorer at the 2019 World Cup, is also available after serving a two-match ban for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

But Wales must keep a watchful eye on their English-based players, who have returned to their clubs for Gallagher Premiership action this weekend.

Louis Rees-Zammit and number eight Taulupe Faletau are in action against each other when Bath and Gloucester meet at the Rec tonight.

Northampton outside-half Dan Biggar, Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy, Exeter prop Tomas Francis and Wasps second-row Will Rowlands could also feature for their clubs this weekend.