George North speaks out after sickening 'concussion': Northampton allowed him to play on
GEORGE NORTH has revealed that he deliberately remained still on the ground after landing on his neck during Northampton Saints' defeat to Leicester.
DRAMATIC moment George North is knocked unconscious
North jumped to collect a bouncing ball but collided in midair with Leicester wing Andy Thompstone.
The Wales winger landed on his neck and appeared to have been knocked unconscious as he lay unmoving face down on the ground.
North has a history of concussions and was taken off for a head injury assessment but was allowed to return to the field of play.
George North appeared to have been knocked unconscious
The 24-year-old could not prevent Saints going down 19-11 in a fiery east Midlands derby but his injury was the centre of much of the post-match discussion.
Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder responded to fans' criticisms by backing his club doctors.
"I don’t make those decisions and our doctors and medical staff are really clear that if anyone gets knocked unconscious or has had a knock where they look like they are unconscious, they need to come straight off,” he said.
George North has been at Northampton since 2013
“It’s as simple as that. You don’t go to be assessed – you are off straight away. George has had some previous issues so he took it steady.
“The doctor was very, very happy even as he walked off that he was just going to go for an assessment and thankfully he could come back on.
“Our doctor makes those decisions but there are protocols that go on with people looking at the incident.”
And North himself confirmed that he had not suffered any loss of consciousness during the game.
"I am ok," North said on Twitter last night.
"I landed on my neck and was worried about it. Thanks to the medics for checking me out properly.
"I can't help but feel I won't be looking left or right for a few days.
"Thanks again for the messages. Onwards to Europe."