North suffers Lions agony as Wales star faces surgery
GEORGE North will need surgery after rupturing his ACL, ending his hopes of a third Lions tour.
The Wales star hobbled off during the Ospreys’ Rainbow Cup victory over Cardiff Blues.
It was an innocuous incident as he twisted awkwardly, gathering a loose ball immediately after play had been halted for a knock-on.
And after undergoing a scan on his knee, the 29-year-old former Scarlet has now learned the extent of his injury.
“Sport can be cruel,” tweeted North. “We all know the risks when we take the field.
“Unfortunately I ruptured my ACL and will need surgery. Heartbroken is an understatement.”
Warren Gatland has spoken about the ‘big blow’ the Lions have suffered after North was ruled out of the tour to South Africa.
The Lions coach effectively confirmed North would have been part of his touring squad to face the Springboks as he lamented the loss of the Wales star.
“It’s a big blow for the Lions and a big blow for George as well,” Gatland told BBC Jersey.
“It’s a big loss for George, I feel for him and wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully he can get back to full fitness and get quickly to playing international rugby.
“What he’s achieved in the
game’s been brilliant, 100 Tests, the youngest Welsh player to achieve that goal, and hopefully he’s got more rugby in him.
“I’ve always been a great believer once someone misses out that creates an opportunity for someone else.
“We’ve got to realise we’ve got two or three players that aren’t going to make the tour because they’ve got injuries.
“I presume between now and when we get on the plane and fly out to South Africa, we’re going to pick up one or two others as well.”