North to miss Ireland game to continue recovery

Wales wing George North will not play in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up game with Ireland as he continues to recover from concussion.

The 23-year-old has been sidelined since March after being knocked unconscious playing for Northampton.

North has not completed the full concussion protocols and is set to return in the game against the Ireland in Dublin on August 29.

Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins said his recovery is on track.

"George has been doing most of the stuff with the rest of the guys. He is still picking up on a few things and that’s to do with the medical staff," he told Wales Online.

"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.

"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."

North suffered a blow to the head on Wales duty last November before being knocked unconscious in an accidental clash of heads with Richard Hibbard in the defeat to England at the Millennium Stadium.

And he had his third injury after a collision with Wasps’ Nathan Hughes during an Aviva Premiership match for the Saints.

North has been involved in both fitness camps with Wales in Doha and Switzerland but in order to play again he must pass medical tests.

Meanwhile, Jenkins added he is optimistic Liam Williams will recover from a foot injury in time for September’s World Cup.

He said: "Liam is going all right but he won’t be available for these first few games. He is rehabbing pretty well and doing the odd bits and bobs and a bit of passing.

"He is progressing pretty well and positive."