George North has taken his first step towards being ready for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations after being named in Northampton Saints’ starting line-up on New Year’s Day.
The Wales wing has been out of action with a head injury since December 3 but has been passed fit to run out against Gloucester at Kingsholm.
His return is good news for acting Wales head coach Rob Howley, who will lead his country into next year’s Championship with Warren Gatland away on British & Irish Lions duty.
North, 24, will be aiming to add to his 68 Test caps when Wales open up their 2017 RBS 6 Nations away to Italy on February 5.
On the Ireland front, wing Andrew Trimble is back in action for his provincial side Ulster for the first time since injuring his foot during the autumn internationals.
And it is timely indeed for Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss, who admits his team need to play at their utmost best to secure just a second away win against Leinster in Dublin since 1999.
“You have to go there with a mindset that you have to play out the 80 minutes and start well too,” said Kiss. “It is going to be tough but we will go out there and give it a shot.”
