Wales centre George North will miss the British & Irish Lions tour in South Africa due to a serious knee injury, it was announced on Monday.
North, 29, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when he played for Ospreys against Cardiff Blues on Saturday.
North’s injury came when he appeared to have his leg stuck in the ground whilst playing at the Liberty Stadium and had to be helped off the field.
Sport can be cruel. We all know the risks when we take the field. Unfortunately I ruptured my ACL on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement. 💔 pic.twitter.com/icNDEmYmHE
— George North (@George_North) April 28, 2021
“Sport can be cruel. We all know the risks when we take the field,” he wrote on social media on Wednesday. “Unfortunately I ruptured my ACL on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement.”
The club also confirmed that North will miss the remainder of the campaign after sustaining the injury.
“The Ospreys can confirm wing George North has suffered an ACL injury to his right knee and will be ruled out for the rest of the season,” the club said on their website.
North played a key role in helping Wales lift the 2021 Six Nations title under coach Wayne Pivac, who used him at centre.
North was set to make his third Lions tour after he previously featured in Australia and New Zealand.
The announcement is another blow for Warren Gatland’s side as Wasps lock Joe Launchbury will also miss out on the tour after suffering the same injury.
Gatland will name his 36-man squad to face South Africa on 6 May.