No fairytale end for North after Achilles injury

GEORGE North has confirmed he suffered a ruptured Achilles in his final Test match for Wales.

His Ospreys career is now over as a result.

The 121-cap international bowed out for Wales last week in the 24-21 defeat to Italy, with his final moments in the Welsh jersey seeing him limp from the pitch with minutes of the match to go.

North himself confirmed he’d undergo a scan at the start of the week, with the latest update from the 31-year-old confirming the extent of his injury.

“Not everyone gets the fairytale ending,” he posted on social media, alongside a photo of him in a hospital bed.

“A ruptured Achilles wasn’t the way I wanted to bow out of International rugby.

“Still I have loved every second. Can’t thank everyone enough for the support and kind messages. On the recovery train now.”

Given the nature of the injury, North will miss the remainder of the season, meaning he has played his last game for the Ospreys ahead of a move to France next season.

The Ospreys said: “Ospreys can confirm that George North will miss the remainder of the season following surgery on a ruptured Achilles injury sustained whilst playing for Wales v Italy.

“We’d like to thank George for his time at the club and wish him the best for the future.”

Earlier in the week, Ospreys head coach Toby Booth admitted that he didn’t know whether North would feature for the Swansea-based club again.

“Not had that feedback yet, but the first thing is let’s make sure he’s ok,” said Booth.

“A person that has contributed so much to Welsh rugby needs to be treated respectfully and made sure he’s as healthy as he could be and what state of mind he’s in.

“I’m just disappointed that it finished for him in the way that it did, but let’s not focus on the very last bit, let’s focus on the 120-plus caps and what he’s really done. That’s what we want to remember George for.”

North is the second Welsh player to have suffered a serious injury last weekend, with scrum-half Tomos Williams also having undergone surgery after rupturing tendons in his ankle the Italy defeat.

Williams is now unlikely to play for Cardiff again this season, ahead of a move to Gloucester next term.

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