Tuesday 6 December 2016 16:51, UK
Northampton have confirmed winger George North will not resume playing until he is cleared by an independent expert, after suffering a head injury on Saturday against Leicester.
The 24-year-old, who went on an enforced five month break from the game after suffering four head blows in five months between November 2014 and March 2015, looked to be unconscious with his head pressed into the turf after a tackle by Leicester's Adam Thompstone.
Thompstone earned a spell in the sin bin for the 17th minute tackle while North underwent a long spell of medical attention on the pitch before being taken off for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).
North returned to action minutes later and played through to the end but was unable to prevent the Tigers defeating the Saints 19-11.
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder denied North had been knocked out after the game, and on Tuesday the club again defended the actions of its medical staff.
"As at every Premiership match, the Saints' medical team has access to video footage to be used to assist the pitchside assessment of injuries," Northampton said in a statement.
"It is important to note this video footage is not always the full range of replay angles available to the TV viewing audience at home.
"George was fully assessed by the doctor away from the pitch using the established protocols and processes, and passed fit to return to play.
"As with all such injuries, if evidence suggesting a loss of consciousness had been available to the medical team at the time of assessment, George would not have been allowed to return to the field of play.
"All rugby supporters will no doubt be delighted to learn that George remains well.
"Nevertheless, Northampton Saints continues to place player welfare as its number one priority, and is referring George to an independent expert as part of the club's ongoing assessment process and George will be stood down from play until this process is complete."
