George North to miss Ireland clash as he is still not ready to return from series of concussions

Wales are being extra careful with their game-changing winger

Ireland begin their World Cup warm-up programme against Wales this Saturday, but George North won't feature as the Welsh coaching staff continue to put off his return to competitive action. The wing has not played since suffering a concussion on March 27, his third head injury in the space of five months, which resulted in him being stood down from all rugby activity for an extended period. Although he has been training with the Wales squad, the 23-year-old has still not passed the final concussion protocols that will allow him to return to full contact sessions. “George has been doing most of the stuff with the rest of the guys," kicking coach Neil Jenkins told Wales Online. "He is still picking up on a few things and that’s to do with the medical staff. “But he is going pretty well at this moment in time and has done a lot of skills and a fair bit of rugby stuff as well that we have done so far. “He is looking in pretty good shape so hopefully things will keep progressing and he will take some parts in these games prior to the World Cup.” Ireland face Wales again on August 29 in Dublin and Jenkins is hopeful North will be ready for that game. “I wouldn’t have thought he would be involved this weekend but I am sure three weeks down the road he could be involved in the Dublin game."