Hung out to dry.

George North reportedly went AWOL on Northampton Saints on Saturday, after interim coach Alan Gaffney said he was ‘disappointed’ the Wale winger was not involved in their loss to Sale Sharks over the weekend.

Ahead of the Premiership fixture it was suggested that North was available, but not selected. The winger has been with the Wales national side for the Six Nations, but with a weekend off, and having only featured as a replacement against Ireland, it was thought he would play over the weekend.

When asked after the 34-25 defeat to Sale why North was not involved, Gaffney said:

“It’s a pretty good question and it’s a very difficult one to answer at this moment in time.

“You’d probably have to ask George.

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

“I haven’t spoken to George personally about it, but I’m just disappointed he wasn’t here.

Sources now close to North, say the winger feels he has been ‘hung out to dry’ by Gaffney. The BBC are reporting that some of Northampton’s management are privately furious at North’s conduct.

But North is understood to have had a deal with previous boss Jim Mallinder that he would NOT play on rest weekends. It appears Gaffney either was not aware of or did not honour this agreement, with BBC sources citing a lack of communication between all parties.

North, his agent, the Welsh Rugby Union and Northampton have all declined to comment further