NORTH SET FOR COMEBACK

NORTHAMPTON will give George North his first start since the investigation into his latest head injury when they visit Gloucester tomorrow. North’s return brings to an end his most recent concussion absence, but the full consequences of allowing him to rejoin the match against Leicester on December 3 — when he appeared to have been knocked out — are not yet known despite the outcome of an RFU and Premiership Rugby investigation. The day after Northampton were cleared by the review, World Rugby announced they were seeking further information from the RFU about an ‘apparent noncompliance’ with its concussion protocols. North was cleared to play in last Friday’s 24-5 victory over Sale, but Northampton omitted him from their squad. Tomorrow he will take the place of Juan Pablo Estelles on the left wing. In today’s only Aviva Premiership fixture, third-placed Bath host fourth-placed Exeter in a west country derby. England wing Anthony Watson is on the Bath bench and is poised to play his first game since breaking his jaw in early October. Watson is also set to resume his international career when England name a squad for next week’s training camp in Brighton. He missed the entire autumn series due to an injury sustained when Eddie Jones’ men last met on the south coast in October. Also injured during the controversial training camp in Brighton was Jack Nowell. The Exeter utility back is now three matches into his return from a thigh problem and will be reunited alongside Watson among the 33 players announced today. Their return to fitness and the presence of Jonny May means there will be no place in the group for Semesa Rokoduguni, despite his man-of-the-match display against Fiji in the autumn, while Marland Yarde’s place is also under threat if Jones opts to pick only three wings knowing that Elliot Daly is a genuine option in the position.