Scarlets injury update

 

The Scarlets have confirmed that 18-year-old wing George North has undergone shoulder surgery this week following an injury he picked up during the recent autumn internationals with Wales.

 

The 6’ 4” North Walian wing sensation, who stole all the headlines after scoring two tries on his Wales debut against South Africa, returned to the Scarlets last week (w/c 29^th November) ahead of the region’s Magners League tie against Leinster.

After assessment by the Scarlets medical team immediately on his return to the region, his shoulder was scanned last week, which revealed damage to his left shoulder that required surgery.

The young player from Anglesey who also scored a brace of tries on his Scarlets senior debut in the region’s opening game against Treviso in early September, will be out of action for three months.

Props Peter Edwards and Deacon Manu also face up to 12-weeks out with fractured forearms – both of which were picked up in the game against Leinster at the weekend. The Scarlets currently have three tight-head props out of action and on the long-term injury list with Rhys Thomas currently recovering from a fractured leg picked up against Leicester Tigers in October in the Heineken Cup.

The Scarlets have today registered 20-year-old tight-head prop, Simon Gardiner from Haverfordwest into their European squad. Gardiner joined the Scarlets Academy in 2006, has played Wales U20 and has appeared in four competitive games for the Scarlets this season – twice in the LV=Cup and two appearances in the Magners League.  Gardiner has played 10 games with Llanelli RFC this season.

Speaking about the injury to North, Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “Our policy with any soft tissue injury is to get a scan done immediately to ascertain the extent of the injury.  The scan revealed in this case that George required surgery to ensure there was no further damage.

“Potentially if not repaired, he could have suffered a dislocated shoulder which would have been a lot worse for such a young player at the very start of his career.  In today’s physically demanding game, it is crucial that the best interests of our players’ long-term playing career are supported fully.

“It is obviously disappointing and frustrating for George and it’s a blow to his colleagues at the Scarlets as he’s had such a great start to his career in the senior team -  but this is the right decision for him as a player and ultimately for the Scarlets in terms of getting him back fully fit and well and helping him develop further as a player with a very bright rugby career.”

North, born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk and raised in Rhoscolyn, Anglesey, has had a whirlwind debut season for the Scarlets. He has scored four tries in six competitive games, two of those tries were scored in his first ever competitive game away at Treviso back in September.

The young Scarlet has developed through the Scarlets’ Academy system. He attended Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern and Llandovery College and also played at semi-professional level for Llandovery RFC. He began his rugby career as a youngster with Llangefni U14’s before moving on to Pwllheli and Rhyl

North stands at 6′ 4″ and weighs in at 16st 7lb and on his international debut against South Africa became the 200^th capped Scarlet and the youngest Scarlet international of all time.