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Northampton Saints coach Alan Gaffney suggests George North did not want to play

during the Aviva Premiership match between Northampton Saints and London Irish at Franklin's Gardens on February 17, 2018 in Northampton, England.
Image: George North was not part of the Northampton Saints' squad for their 25-34 loss to Sale Sharks

Northampton Saints' interim director of rugby Alan Gaffney appeared to suggest George North did not want to play in the 34-25 defeat to Sale on Saturday.

North is part of Wales' squad but was available to play for the Saints as there were no matches in the Six Nations this weekend.

But the 25-year-old was not included in Saints' squad, and Gaffney said: "I'm just disappointed he wasn't here."

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Alan Gaffney, Coach of Northampton Saints looks on during the Aviva Premiership match between Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks at Franklin's Gardens on March 3, 2018 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Image: Alan Gaffney was appointed in an interim capacity following the sacking of Jim Mallinder in December

When asked whether North did not want to play, Gaffney said: "That's a very difficult question to answer for me.

"I haven't spoken to George personally. In one sense it's probably best to ask George.

"We picked a side that actually wanted to be out on the pitch and picked the best side for the game for Northampton."

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North joined Northampton in 2013 from Scarlets, but is returning to Wales at the end of the season after signing a National Dual Contract with the WRU.

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