George North to make along awaited return to rugby

Wales star George North is set to make his comeback on Saturday after a year out of rugby. North has been named among the replacements for Ospreys’ United Rugby Championship clash against the Scarlets in Swansea.

The 30-year-old back has not played since suffering knee ligament damage last April.

North’s injury ruled him out of contention for the British and Irish Lions’ 2021 South Africa tour, and his last Wales appearance was 13 months ago.

The Ospreys have three league games left this season, while Wales face a three-Test series against South Africa in July, with matches in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.

“This is the West Wales Derby and we haven’t played the Scarlets at home in Swansea since I have been coach. It will be good to do that and to do that with a crowd will be great," said Toby Booth, Ospreys Head coach. “We know how important this game is to supporters and people associated with the club and it’s the same for the Scarlets.

“All derbies are significant but we know for a lot of people this derby is even more significant. It’s also a reflection on the progress we are making as a team."

OSPREYS TEAM:

15. Mat Protheroe

14. Alex Cuthbert

13. Michael Collins

12. Owen Watkin

11. Keelan Giles

10. Gareth Anscombe

9. Rhys Webb

1.Gareth Thomas

2. Dewi Lake

3. Tomas Francis

4. Adam Beard

5. Alun Wyn Jones

6. Will Griffiths

7. Jac Morgan

8. Morgan Morris

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Sam Parry

17. Nicky Smith

18. Tom Botha

19. Rhys Davies

20. Ethan Roots

21. Reuben Morgan Williams

22. Stephen Myler

23. George North