Wales star George North is out of contention for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa after confirming he has suffered a serious knee injury.
Welsh Test centurion
George North will miss the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing for the Ospreys against Cardiff Blues in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup last weekend.
The outside back was aiming to feature in his third Lions tour after playing in Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017, whence he accumulated three Lions Test caps.
The 29-year-old North has played 102 times for his country and was hoping to add to his illustrious career by completing a rare tour treble, playing in all three countries that the Lions visit. Sport can be cruel, North tweeted on Wednesday.
By Andrew Baldock, Press Association
George North had been tipped to feature in Warren Gatland s Lions squad for the first Test in South Africa WALES star George North is out of contention for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa after confirming he has suffered a serious knee injury. It is a major blow for Lions head coach Warren Gatland, who names his squad next week. North was hurt during Ospreys victory over Cardiff Blues last weekend, and he tweeted: Sport can be cruel. We all know the risks when we take the field. Unfortunately, I ruptured my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement.
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