George North will return to Wales from Northampton next season – and a decision on his regional destination is said to be announced in the new year.
Juggernaut wing North, who has scored 30 tries in 69 Wales appearances and featured on two British and Irish Lions tours, has agreed a national dual contract, the Welsh Rugby Union announced.
Northampton said they had made North “an appropriate offer” to remain in the east midlands, but he will head home and link up with one of four regional teams – Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues or Dragons – from next term.
Club Statement on George North:https://t.co/nEKZlllkTx
— Northampton Saints (@SaintsRugby) November 22, 2017
National dual contracts are 60 per cent funded by the WRU, with the player’s region paying the rest. Sam Warburton, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones are among star names currently on dual deals.
Former Scarlets player North’s decision is a major coup for Wales and their head coach Warren Gatland.
“It is fantastic that George is returning to Wales on a national dual contract,” Gatland said.
Croeso gartref – Welcome home @George_North who will be returning to Wales on a National Dual Contract for the 2018/19 season! pic.twitter.com/k8fdwKb1dw
— Welsh Rugby Union ???? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 22, 2017
“At just 25, George is in the prime of his career and signing an NDC, with all the playing and non-playing benefits associated with it, will allow him to flourish.
“It is great for the game here in Wales to see a player of George’s stature and reputation return home to play his domestic rugby.
“We will work with George to determine the best fit for him, and will look to announce where he will play in the new year.”
. @George_North on returning home “As a proud Welshman, I’m excited to be heading back to Wales. I feel the time is right and the opportunity to sign a NDC, with the benefits that come with it and the support it provides from the national squad set-up, was a great option for me” pic.twitter.com/qe9YzaqfLu
— Welsh Rugby Union ???? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 22, 2017
North, who toured Australia in 2013 and New Zealand this year with the Lions, is among the most sought-after players in northern hemisphere rugby.
He is currently sidelined due to a knee injury, missing Wales’ four autumn Tests, but hopes to return to action for Saints – the Aviva Premiership club he joined in 2013 – just before Christmas.
“This has been an incredibly hard decision,” said North.
“Saints have developed me as a player and stuck by me through thick and thin, so it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to move on.
Gatland on North – “It’s fantastic George is returning to Wales on a NDC. Just 25yrs old he is in his prime & will flourish on NDC. Its great for game here in Wales & we will work with George in coming months to determine which region has best playing environment to suit him.” pic.twitter.com/9pRyFhk7HY
— Welsh Rugby Union ???? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 22, 2017
“I love playing for Northampton Saints and I am excited by the potential of the squad that is being assembled, but, as a proud Welshman, I felt that now is the right time to move back home despite the compelling offer Saints made me.”
Saints rugby director Jim Mallinder added: “While we are disappointed to lose a player of George’s quality, we respect and understand his decision to move back to Wales to be closer to home.
“I know how difficult a decision this has been for George, but in the end the emotional pull of settling back in Wales outweighed his desire to remain in Northampton, and we respect that.
“I have no doubt that for the rest of the season George will put all his energy into firstly rehabilitating from his current knee injury as quickly as possible, and then ensuring Saints have a strong second half of the season.”
