George North has been named to start in Wales’ match with Italy on Sunday at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
His selection will come as a bit of respite to the current controversy surrounding his current club situation. North was released last week to be in line for selection for the Northampton Saints Aviva Premiership fixture against Sale Sharks, a fixture which the Saints ultimately lost.
Interim technical coaching consultant, Alan Gaffney, alluded after the game that North ruled himself out of selection but this is something which North refutes, citing a deal with previous boss Jim Mallinder which meant that he wasn’t obliged to play for the Saints during the Six Nations. North feels that he has been “hung out to dry” by Gaffney according to reports this week.
Now, BBC Sport are reporting that North could return to the Ospreys immediately, despite being contracted to the Saints until the end of the season. North has signed a dual national contract with the Welsh Rugby Union which comes into effect after this season finishes but the Welsh region to which he will play his domestic rugby, has not been confirmed as of yet.
It is understood that the Ospreys would be keen to have North until the end of the season and permanently thereafter.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has said that he would back North if he wanted to return to the Welsh club scene early.
Gatland said: “The message I’ve said to George is if he wants to come home quicker than next season then we’ll look after him”.
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