George North in new injury setback hammer blow

Wales wing George North is a serious doubt for Six Nations' opener after being ruled out for four weeks with a knee injury.

The Northampton Saints went down just minutes into his return from a knee ligament injury during the Saints' 50-21 defeat to Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday - suffering the injury to the same knee that had ruled him out of the autumn internationals.

Despite suffering the injury on his first carry as a replacement, North played on a further 40 minutes against Harlequins before making way.

Speaking about the four weeks of rehabilitation, Northampton Technical Coaching Consultant Alan Gaffney commented, “While it’s disappointing that George will be missing ahead of Saturday’s game, this injury means an opportunity for another player in the squad to step up to the plate.

"I’m sure George will be diligent in his rehab and we all wish him a swift recovery.”

North is just the latest injury concern for Warren Gatland ahead of the upcoming Six Nations, with Hallam Amos and Dan Lydiate just the two most recent additions to the treatment room.

Gatland is also set to be without the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Ross Moriarty, Sam Warburton and Jonathan Davies for the tournament opener against Scotland in Cardiff on February 2.

Even if North is passed fit to feature against Gregor Townsend's men on the opening weekend of the European showpiece, he will go into the tournament severely undercooked - having played just 40 minutes of rugby since suffering a sprain to his posterior cruciate ligament against Saracens back in October.

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