Hope for Wales as Saints give explanation for North's last minute withdrawl

Warren Gatland can breathe a sigh of relief after Northampton Saints confirmed George North only missed their Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Sale Sharks as a precaution.

North was due to make his first start since October in Saturday’s match at the AJ Bell Stadium, the winger having made two appearances from the bench after recovering from a knee injury.

However, North was replaced in the starting XV minutes before kick-off, raising doubts about his fitness ahead of the Six Nations.

Northampton went on to win 24-20, but the focus after the match was the situation with the Wales international.

Interim head coach Alan Dickens confirmed there was no new injury to the 25-year-old and that he was simply not risked.

A late change for the Saints here at the AJ Bell…

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Estelles joins the replacements

— Northampton Saints ? (@SaintsRugby) January 27, 2018

“George North pulled out just before kick-off,” said Dickens. “He was just tight so it was a precautionary measure to hold him back.

“He’s probably had a tough week training with Wales.

“It was an unfortunate last-minute withdrawal so not ideal.”

Warren Gatland is due to name his XV to face Scotland in their Six Nations opener on Tuesday.