LIONS BLOW AS ‘HEARTBROKEN’ NORTH RULED OUT OF TOUR
WALES star George North was ‘heartbroken’ after being ruled out of this summer’s Lions tour with a knee injury. The 29-year-old, who plays wing or centre, will miss the trip to South Africa as he faces surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. North was tipped to be named in Warren Gatland’s 36-man squad next week but suffered the injury during the Ospreys’ victory over Cardiff Blues. ‘Sport can be cruel,’ said North. ‘We all know the risks when we take the field. Unfortunately, I ruptured my ACL on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement.’ North played his way back into form during Wales’ Six Nations campaign, when he earned his 100th international cap.
He is the second player to be ruled out of the tour this week, after Wasps and England lock Joe Launchbury also suffered an ACL injury. ‘It’s a big blow for the Lions and a big blow for George as well,’ Gatland told BBC Jersey. ‘For a number of years, we thought about the potential of George moving from the wing into the midfield and how would he go with that. ‘We’ve seen players in the past, in particular All Blacks players like Tana Umaga and Ma’a Nonu, start their careers on the wing and end up moving into the midfield. ‘He was looking incredibly promising from the Six Nations and the way he performed. It’s a big loss for George. I feel for him and wish him a speedy recovery.’ However, there was one positive fitness update as Bath coach Stuart Hooper played down fears about Anthony Watson’s foot injury.