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head over heart

George North is 'not a happy man' to be left out of Wales team, according to Warren Gatland

Winger given ‘extended recovery period’ because of concussion suffered last November.

ACCORDING TO WALES Head Coach Warren Gatland, winger George North isn’t impressed with having to miss Sunday’s Six Nation’s clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

North received an accidental boot to the head in the opening period of last weekend’s defeat to England while he appeared to lose consciousness after a clash of heads with team-mate Richard Hibbard later in the game. But Wales have insisted North was not concussed.

“He’s not a happy man, I can tell you that. He’s disappointed that we’ve ruled him out”, Gatland told the BBC.

I said ‘this is not a rugby decision, this is a welfare decision about you and your longevity in the game’. You’ve taken a couple of knocks and the last thing you need – and the last thing the game needs – is if you get another knock’.”

“We don’t need that in the game, so the precautionary thing is to make the positive decision about George and his welfare. I think it’s a very mature decision.”

Last November, North suffered a concussion and was forced to miss Wales’ clash with South Africa as a result – something that was referenced by Gatland today.

“We have taken the decision to give George an extended recovery period ahead of the game against France [at the end of the month] in light of his concussion in the autumn”.

The Welsh Rugby Union did admit earlier this week that the 22 year-old should’ve been replaced against England after suffering a second head trauma but that the medical team hadn’t seen it.

‘Not concussed’ George North stood down by Wales for Scotland clash

Analysis: Who did what for Ireland in the rucks last weekend?

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