George North causes concussion row after being allowed to play on despite being knocked unconscious

George North in action. Photo / AP

Northampton Saints face a Premier Rugby investigation and possible disciplinary action after George North was allowed to play on despite appearing to be knocked out in the east midlands derby against Leicester Tigers.

The Wales and Northampton winger - whose recent career has been blighted by concussions including two in the same game against England in February 2015 - was taken out in mid-air by Leicester wing Adam Thompstone and landed face first into the ground where he lay prone and apparently unconscious for several minutes.

The incident sparked an ugly melee and resulted in Thompstone being sent to the sin bin while a clearly groggy North was sent for a Head Injury Assessment, which he apparently passed and was allowed to return for the remainder of the match.

Strict Premier Rugby guidelines, backed by World Rugby, state any player suspected of being concussed should be removed immediately from play, while any player suspected of losing consciousness should not even undergo a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

A Premier Rugby spokesman confirmed to Sportsmail disciplinary procedures would follow if Northampton - who deny North was unconscious - are suspected of failing to follow protocols.

'Every head injury incident is assessed by an independent reviewer as part of our procedure to manage concussion in the Aviva Premiership,' the spokesman said.

'Player welfare is our No 1 priority so all (suspected concussion) incidents in our 135 matches are reviewed.'

The Premiership this season rolled out new technology which allows medics on the touchline to review real-time footage of suspected head injuries to prevent doctors missing incidents and leaving no excuse for failing to spot a possible concussion.

North indicated on Twitter he had landed heavily on his neck with no mention of a head injury, while Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder insisted due process had been followed.

Mallinder said: 'I don't make those decisions and what our doctors, medical staff are really, really clear about is that if anybody gets unconscious or had a knock where they look like they are concussed, then they need to come straight off. It's as simple as that.
'You wouldn't go to be assessed (if you were unconscious), you'd be off straight away. George has had some previous issues so he took it steady.

'I haven't actually spoken to him, but the doctor was very, very happy, even as he walked off to go for an assessment. Thankfully he could come back on. We're all for, if they're injured, getting them off, but thankfully George was happy to carry on, the medical team were happy that he wasn't concussed and he could carry on.'

Former England international Ugo Monye, speaking on BT Sport, was incensed at the time. He said: 'I don't think George North should be on the pitch it's a simple as that.

'If there is any suspicion that someone has lost consciousness you should be taken off the pitch. You should not take any further part in the game.

'Health is paramount and considering his history he should not be taking part in the second half.'

North has a history of concussions. He was knocked out twice in one match for Wales when England beat them in Cardiff in the 2015 Six Nations in February - and a month later suffered another blow when Nathan Hughes kneed him in the head in a Premiership match between Wasps and Northampton.

After those incidents he did not play until the World Cup in September. He was advised by doctors to take time out to recover, in order not to do further, and potentially permanent damage to his brain.