Try GOLD - Free
North Owes Saints Some Words Of Explanation
The Rugby Paper
|March 11, 2018
North Owes Saints Some Words Of Explanation
-
George North has spent the week stewing in silence over a juicy accusation concerning his conspicuous absence from Northampton’s ‘pathetic’ home beating by Sale.
Alan Gaffney, the veteran Australian parachuted on to the already burning deck after Jim Mallinder’s sacking, suggested that North missed the match not because of an injury but because he didn’t want to play. Had there been a mistake or a misunderstanding, the Saints had ample time to rectify the matter and say so.
Despite the lack of anything remotely resembling an admission that they got it wrong, those who pay North’s wages may still have wondered if there hadn’t surely been some sort of mistake. Hadn’t their favourite Welsh Lion pledged to keep giving everything for the Saints’ cause?
In confirming his Welsh homecoming last November with effect from the end of the season, North left nobody in any doubt as to what the faithful could continue to expect from him. The Saints may have been plagued by a rotten set of results but according to the Boy George everything in Franklin’s Gardens seemed to be in a perpetual state of bloom.
This story is from the March 11, 2018 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Rugby Paper
The Rugby Paper
Spain push Argentina all the way
ARGENTINA clinched a thrilling victory over Spain with a dramatic second half comeback.
1 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
When Alfie is always the star man
ALLAN Langer, the Queensland rugby league legend, is honoured with a statue outside Suncorp Stadium, in Brisbane, the venue for Wednesday's Lions game with the Reds.
1 min
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Ireland miss chance to get past Italians
IRELAND'S bid to reach the semifinals suffered a damaging setback as they slipped to a heartbreaking defeat against hosts Italy in Viadana.
1 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
O'Brien is quick to take charge for Ireland
IRELAND secured a confident and controlled victory in Tbilisi, propelled by a try-double from debutant wing Tommy O'Brien and one from first-time captain Craig Casey.
1 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Wingers to the fore for England
ENGLAND began their U20s World Championship title defence with a commanding 56-19 victory over Scotland in Verona.
2 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Gibson-Park and Russell happy as they fall into step
JAMISON Gibson-Park passed his Lions Test match audition with dance partner Finn Russell and admitted the pair had hardly rehearsed.
1 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Woeful Wales are humiliated one more time
WALES' embarrassment knows no bounds as they surrendered a 19-7 lead to chalk up their 18th consecutive defeat, easily a record for a Tier 1 nation in the professional era.
2 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Bordeaux & Saints are set for Cup rematch
EUROPEAN champions Bordeaux-Begles and last season’s finalists Northampton have been drawn in Pool 4 for the 2025-26 Champions Cup.
1 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Farrell's call-up shouldn't cause discord
THE furore surrounding Owen Farrell being brought into the Lions squad as a replacement for Elliott Daly has stirred the nepotism bad genie.
1 mins
July 06, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Scotland hold on to deny brave Māori
SCOTLAND claimed a first-ever win over the Māori All Blacks with a thrilling victory in Whangõrei to kick off their Pacific tour in style.
1 min
July 06, 2025
Translate
Change font size

