IRB Rugby World Cup
Wales star George North to sit out Ireland Test
ESPN Staff
August 3, 2015
George North
George North© Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Wales will not rush George North back into competitive action with the winger sitting out Saturday's Test against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

North has not played since March 27 when he suffered a bang to the head while on Northampton duty against Wasps. It was his third head knock last season after he sustained one in November and another in their Six Nations opener against England.

After consulting a neurologist, North was recommended to stand down for the rest of the campaign. After a promising summer camp in the Wales squad, North is back in training but he will not be rushed back into match action.

"George has been doing most of the stuff with the rest of the guys. He is still picking up on a few things and that's to do with the medical staff," Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins said on Wales Online. "But he is going pretty well at this moment in time and has done a lot of skills and a fair bit of rugby stuff as well that we have done so far.

"He is looking in pretty good shape so hopefully things will keep progressing and he will take some parts in these games prior to the World Cup."

And on Saturday's game, Jenkins added: "I wouldn't have thought he would be involved this weekend but I am sure three weeks down the road he could be involved in the Dublin game.

"We will wait and see what happens over the coming weeks."

And there is promising news surrounding back three star Liam Williams. He suffered a foot injury in June and while Jenkins confirmed he will miss their warm-up matches, he said Wales "are optimistic he will make the World Cup."

"Liam is going all right but he won't be available for these first few games," Jenkins said. "He is re-habbing pretty well and doing the odd bits and bobs and a bit of passing.

"He is progressing pretty well and positive. I'm optimistic he will make the World Cup. He is a key player for us and outstanding around the squad.

"So we would certainly think he would be fit."

© ESPN Staff

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