London: Wales wing George North has started his bid to be passed fit for his country’s Six Nations clash against Scotland after suffering two blows to the head during last week’s defeat against England.
North took an accidental boot to the head from England lock Dave Attwood in the first half in Cardiff and he was temporarily replaced by Liam Williams while he underwent mandatory concussion assessment.
The 22-year-old subsequently returned to the field, but he then clashed heads with teammate Richard Hibbard during the second half in what appeared to be a worse incident.
North did not go off a second time, playing on as England started their Six Nations season with a 21-16 victory.
But World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body, subsequently requested a full report into the incidents from Welsh rugby chiefs.
Wales resume their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield next Sunday and North still hopes to be passed fit to feature.
In an interview to WRU TV that was posted on the Welsh Rugby Union’s official website on Monday, WRU national medical manager Prav Mathema said: “George, since the incident actually on Friday, has been symptom-free the whole time.
“Post-match he was symptom-free, today he has also been evaluated and he has shown no signs and symptoms of any concussion.
“And because of that he has actually started his return-to-play protocol already, and there has been no issue with the first stages of that.
“He has to go through that process for the rest of the week, having a step-by-step increase in his activity, and we will evaluate whether or not he will be fit for selection this weekend.”
