George North & Northampton Respond To Controversial Head Injury

Should North have been allowed come back on?

Northampton Saints have  issued a statement in response to criticism over George North being allowed to return to play after being apparently knocked out in last night’s game with Leicester Tigers.

North was left lying motionless on the ground after a mid-air collision with Adam Thompstone. The Leicester player was handed a yellow card over the challenge, but it’s what followed that shocked fans.

Viewers of the game reacted with shock when he was allowed back onto the pitch just minutes later having reportedly passed HIA protocols despite footage and images clearly showing North was knocked out cold.

The statement from Northampton read:

“George was attended to by the Northampton Saints medical team rapidly after landing on his side following a challenge in the air by Adam Thompstone.

“George was communicating immediately with attending medics and complaining of neck pain.

“Significant neck injury was excluded on the field but on review of video footage pitch side, the team followed World Rugby protocols and used a Head Injury Assessment given the potential mechanism for head injury.

“George was fully assessed by the doctor and passed fit to return to play.

“Northampton Saints places the highest importance on player care and their safety is the club’s primary concern.”

North himself was also keen to let concerned fans know that he was OK, sending out the following tweets?

Thanks for all the messages. I am ok. I landed on my neck and was worried about it. Thanks to the medics for checking me out properly. 1/2

— George North (@George_North) December 3, 2016

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. 2/2

— George North (@George_North) December 3, 2016

What do you think? Should North have been allowed to come back on?