Warren Gatland has told George North, who will make his first start for Wales in nearly a year against Italy on Sunday, that he will be welcome to come home if he wants to leave Northampton before his contract ends in the summer after being accused of not wanting to play against Sale last weekend.
The Saints’ technical coaching consultant, Alan Gaffney, suggested after the defeat against Sale that the British & Irish Lions wing was unwilling to play in the match and the club’s coach, Alan Dickens, said this week that it had been decided North had not been mentally right to face Sale, adding he could not say whether he would play again for Northampton.
Wales’ Gareth Anscombe seeks strong finish to Six Nations campaign of near misses
North is returning to Wales next season, still to decide between the Scarlets and the Dragons, on a national dual contact. “I have told George if he wants to come home quicker than that, we will look after him,” Gatland said.
“If he is not comfortable in that environment, we will support him. I understand it from Northampton’s perspective: they are under pressure in trying to get things back on track. George has always talked positively about his time there and how great the club and fans have been.”
North is one of 11 changes, one positional, Gatland has made from the side which lost against Ireland. Taulupe Faletau returns at No 8, part of a new back row that includes the uncapped James Davies, and will lead the side for the first time with Alun Wyn Jones rested.
The front row is also changed en bloc with Gatland looking to the future as well as insulating some players from the six-day turnaround before their final game against France.
Owen Watkin makes his first start at centre, Liam Williams moves from full-back to wing and Gareth Anscombe will partner Gareth Davies at half-back, Wales’s third fly-half this tournament. Dan Biggar replaced Rhys Patchell against Ireland but Gatland questioned the wisdom of that decision. “Gareth has been sharp when he has come off the bench and has given us real attacking flair,” he said. “He deserves a chance. I told him before the Ireland game that I did not know if we had made the right call at 10. I am still not convinced that going with Dan was right.”
Gatland pointed out that had Anscombe’s pass in the final minute in Dublin gone to a team-mate rather than Jacob Stockdale, they would be level with Ireland at the top rather than in the bottom half. “We are not far away,” he said. “Finishing second would be a reasonable result. The Six Nations could be over on the weekend if Ireland beat Scotland and France beat England, which they are capable of doing.”