George North concussion: Northampton escape punishment for allowing Wales star to play on despite TV footage appearing to show him knocked out cold
North appeared to knocked unconscious in Leicester clash but returned to pitch, despite worrying history of head injuries
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS sensationally escaped any punishment for allowing George North to play on after admitting he could have been knocked-out cold.
And a top sports lawyer who helped set up the revolutionary concussion protocols in 2014 has savaged the RFU and Premiership Rugby as toothless for wasting the chance to prove they are serious abut player welfare.
Wales and Lions star North looked to be sparked-out as he lay on the turf following a nasty mid-air clash with Leicester Tigers opposite number Adam Thompstone earlier this month.
North, 24, has a horrific history when it comes to concussion and suffered four head injuries in five months before the last World Cup. During the run-up to the 2015 tournament North was even stood down for five months.
But a 7,000-word landmark review led by the RFU and Premiership Rugby found that Northampton did everything they could to protect their player - even though they accepted he should have been subbed.
Saints claimed that dodgy wifi signal prevented them from seeing all the TV footage available at the time and acted with the best interests of their star back who is set to return against Sale Sharks tomorrow night.
At no time time did North fail any concussion tests.
But top sports lawyer Ian Christian said: “It’s hugely disappointing to see that Northampton have not been held to account for the handling of George North’s injury as it was an chance to make a statement and remind clubs, players and fans how serious an issue it is.
“The concussion protocol can only be effective if the doctor's decision to allow the player to return to play stands up to scrutiny.
"Which is why the findings and lack of punishment feel like a backwards step, with the experts stating that Northampton could and should have done more to prevent North returning to the playing field.
"Long-term health is more important than winning a game. This isn’t the first time George North has played on when all those watching thought he should be off the pitch and it proves that players need protecting from themselves.
"This was an opportunity for the panel to make a statement about concussion and the importance of a safety first approach and it has been wasted.”
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On conclusion of the 16-day concussion management review group chaired by Dr Julian Morris and including RFU director of professional Rugby, Nigel Melville and Premiership Rugby’s Rugby Director Phil Winstanley there were nine recommendations to help improve the system.
They said: "The CMRG’s view is that there was sufficient evidence to conclude not only from the video evidence but also George North’s history and risk stratification that he should not have returned to the field of play.
"Northampton Saints medical team has accepted that North may have lost consciousness and therefore should not have returned to play.
"The CMRG considered the welfare of North was always at the centre of Northampton’s actions, and does not consider that the medical team (or the club) failed to complete the HIA protocol nor intentionally ignored the player’s best interests.
"In addition and although not a determining factor, the CMRG is aware that the player appears to have had no residual effects in the short term."
The club added: "Northampton Saints accepts the conclusion that George should not have been allowed to return to the field of play, but is pleased that the CMRG has reflected our concerns about the current technologies and processes available to medical teams when assessing concussion.
"The club believes that this is now an opportunity for the whole rugby community to reflect on the CMRG’s recommendations to ensure the highest levels of player safety and well-being.
"The club’s management remains absolutely confident in the expertise, professionalism and commitment of our medical teams and is encouraged to see that the CMRG has found that the medics had nothing other than player welfare in mind during this incident.
"The club continues to take player safety extremely seriously and now looks forward to working with the CMRG and the wider rugby community to improve current injury assessment practices so that these sorts of incidents can hopefully be avoided in the future.
"In the meantime, the club continues to offer George its full support and looks forward to seeing him on the pitch again as soon as he is ready."