Rugby | North out of club’s biggest game of season after head injury

Wales winger George North will miss his club’s biggest game of the season as he recovers from a third concussion in four months, amid warnings from experts that he should not play again until the Rugby World Cup.
North, one of Europe’s top rugby players, was knocked unconscious while playing for Northampton in its 52-30 win over Wasps in the English Premiership on Friday. He was also concussed playing for Wales during the November internationals, and suffered two knocks to the head against England in a Six Nations game in February.
Northampton coach Jim Mallinder said North will not play against French team Clermont-Auvergne in the quarterfinals of the European Champions Cup on Saturday. The winger is the top try-scorer in the competition with seven, and Northampton’s most dangerous player.
“It’s a tough game,” Mallinder said yesterday, “(but) player welfare will always come first.” North will be assessed by a neurologist this week, and Mallinder said he would follow guidance by medical experts.
Past and present medical advisers to the sport’s governing body, World Rugby, have urged North to take a break for the good of his career.
Dr. Barry O’Driscoll, who was on the organization’s medical committee until 2012, told the BBC: “Somebody who has four (head knocks) and is going back to such a brutal game as rugby should be having a long rest from rugby under the care of a neurologist.”
Dr. Willie Stewart, who sits on World Rugby’s concussion advisory panel, said he would be surprised if North plays again this season.
“If he does play again too soon, it could be the end of his World Cup or even his career,” Dr. Stewart told British newspaper The Mail on Sunday.
“I know at this time of year we’re getting into the thick of it for trophies and championships, but it’s also getting into the sharp end for George’s brain.”
Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton had a 12-week break from rugby after suffering four concussions last year.
North was given three weeks off in February after his double head knock against England.
“I’m not concerned for him,” Mallinder said. “We’ve got to look after him. We’ve got to make sure the medical experts are happy and satisfied that he is fit to return to play, and as soon as they say he is, then we’ll be happy to pick him again.”
The Rugby World Cup starts on Sept. 18.