George North has a history with concussions. Photo / Telegraph UK
Lions head coach Warren Gatland has expressed his concern for the well-being of Wales and Northampton wing George North, urging the player to put his own health first and not to return to playing until he is fully assured of his own fitness.
Gatland found himself under scrutiny when North
was knocked out playing for Wales two years ago and after last weekend's episode in the Premiership match against Leicester, when North was seemingly struggling for consciousness, an incident which led to the player being referred to a specialist and stood down from playing, Gatland himself stated that he would be in no rush to encourage the player to return to playing before there is absolute certainty as to his condition.
North was a key weapon in the Lions armoury on the 2013 tour to Australia under Gatland's stewardship.
"Forget about rugby, George's health is the most important thing, not just in the short term but in the long term," said Gatland. "There's quite a bit of evidence to show that there are potentially long-term effects for people who have taken a number of knocks in contact sport. He needs to consider that, to see specialists about that to show that he is 100 per cent right. Rugby is secondary. His health is the most important thing."
This was the fourth time that North has had problems with contact to the head. Two of those incidents were on Gatland's watch as Wales head coach. As a result of the processes followed then, there has been a complete overhaul of the way in which such matters are monitored and dealt with.
