Wales upbeat on North's World Cup progress

Wales wing George North is on course to feature at the World Cup as he battles to recover from his concussion problems, according to his country's skills coach Neil Jenkins.

North missed the final 10 weeks of last season after being concussed for a third time in five months, raising fears he might not be ready for the start of the World Cup in England in September.

But as the World Cup countdown moves into its Test match warm-up phase, Jenkins on Monday issued a positive update on North's progress.

Although Jenkins says it is unlikely the 23-year-old, who has scored 22 tries during a 49-cap Wales career, will be involved against Ireland in Cardiff next Saturday, he expects North to be fit to feature in one of the later warm-up matches.

"George has been doing most of the stuff with the rest of the guys," Jenkins said. "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.

"He is looking in pretty good shape, so hopefully things will keep progressing and he will take some part in these games prior to the World Cup.

"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 (against Ireland)."
Source: AFP