Recharged George North will be better than ever at RWC

Andrew Baldock 08:56 13/08/2015
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  • Ready to shine: North is poised to return after five months on the sidelines.

    Wales captain Sam Warburton believes George North’s lengthy lay-off will help him explode into life at next month’s World Cup.

    North, who suffered a series of concussion injuries last season, has not played since March.

    But the Northampton wing appears to be on course for a comeback when Wales continue their World Cup warm-up schedule against Ireland in Dublin on August 29, which would see North win his 50th cap.

    He took a full part during a Wales contact training session on Tuesday and Warburton is predicting big things from one of world rugby’s box-office attractions.

    “I think it has been a bit of a blessing, the break he has had,” Warburton said. “He has been under a huge amount of pressure the last 12 to 24 months. He came on the scene and was one of the best wingers in the world straight away. He has such high expectations of himself, and people externally do as well.

    “I think he will come back as hungry as we have ever seen him before, and he has had so much time to work on himself physically.

    “Every player needs a break. You love playing, but he has been playing tough fixtures with Northampton and coming back to the international scene. Every now and again you do need a break, and I think this will have been good for him.”

    While 23-year-old North is set to be an integral part of Wales’ World Cup squad, the dream will end for some players when head coach Warren Gatland reduces his current training group in terms of personnel, probably later this week.

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    It is thought that eight to 10 players could miss out as the countdown builds towards Gatland’s final 31-man World Cup squad being named in just under three weeks’ time.

    Warburton added: “It is great the competition we have got, but at the same time everyone is helping each other along. Everyone gets on great, but unfortunately a couple of guys aren’t going to make it, which is quite sad. But they know that.”

    Warburton is among several players who look set to be involved against Ireland later this month, which is Wales’ penultimate preparation fixture before tackling opening World Cup pool opponents Uruguay in Cardiff on September 20. Fiji, Australia and England make up a fearsome looking section.

    Wales finished fourth at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand – their best performance on a global stage for 24 years – when their supreme levels of fitness were lauded.

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