George North has been warned to take time away from rugby if he wants to continue make the Rugby World Cup and continue his career. The Welsh sensation was knocked unconscious in Northampton's win over Wasps on Friday night after scoring the second of his two tries.
It's unclear whether Hughes intentionally left his knee in, but there should be concern for North after he was clearly out cold from relatively minimal contact. It's the latest concussion issue for North after the horrifying head knocks sustained in the opening game of the Six Nations against England before he inexplicably played on. There was furore after that incident that prompted the WRU to change their protocol in regards to using TV replays to identify head knocks.
It's the third concussion for North this season, after also sustaining one against New Zealand last November, and while he was initially ruled out for a month, his club Northampton Saints have refused to rule him out of next week's Champions Cup quarter final clash with Clermont Auvergne (via their official website):
He has been in for treatment and will continue to be monitored by the Saints’ experienced medical team. As with everyone in the squad, Northampton Saints places the highest importance on player welfare, and as such North will see a specialist early next week for an assessment.
However, World Rugby's concussion advisor Professor Willie Stewart is advising that North shouldn't play again this season.
If he does play again too soon it could be the end of his World Cup or even his career. No-one should be talking about playing him next week. That's just ridiculous.
The people who are minding him and looking after his career should be saying to him that in World Cup year, even if he feels 100 per cent better in six weeks, it is not worth risking his chance on the highest stage.
