George North has praised the WRU's dual contract system © Getty Images

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Wales wing George North has hailed the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) dual contract system, saying that players are "relieved" about their introduction.

North plays for Northampton in the English Premiership but believes dual contracts will boost the likelihood of players staying in Wales rather than seeking lucrative contracts elsewhere.

Sam Warburton was the first to sign a dual contract earlier this season and he was joined by fellow flanker Dan Lydiate, who joined Ospreys last week after an unhappy spell in France with Racing Metro ended in October.

"The feeling is that people are relieved all around about the dual contracts I would say," said North. "It's good to know there's finally actually a feasible option for the boys to come back if that's what they need.

"There was such uncertainty but now there is that option to come home, you can get the support of the regions and the union and they are working together rather than against each other. So that will benefit the regions and the union as well."

Bosses from the WRU and Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) ended years of in-fighting to increase their bargaining power by setting up the dual-contract system, which opens the door for the likes of centre Jamie Roberts to return to the Welsh regions.

"I think it's going the right way definitely," said North. "At the moment it's still in its early days of being organised. It's still in its infancy, but the more people that want it and take it up, the quicker it will get up to speed and everything will settle down.

"I still think it's not quite where it needs to be, but that's because it's all starting afresh and progressing. It's a good step in the right direction towards giving the union and the regions the chance of being competitive, in terms of deals."