Wales and Northampton’s George North
George North has insisted he is not planning to return to regional rugby any time soon but backed the new dual-contract system which has attracted Dan Lydiate to return from France.
The Northampton wing hailed Welsh union and regional bosses for finally agreeing a “feasible option” that will boost chances of top stars remaining in the domestic game.
Lydiate capitalised on the new contracts by return from Racing Metro to the Ospreys and will make his debut against Ulster this Saturday.
North believes more top stars could follow suit but stressed his current situation at Northampton suits him “down to the ground”.
The Saints release North for all his Wales commitments, a situation he admits allows him to gain the best of both worlds.
walesonline
“I’m so happy to be at Northampton, they look after me personally, know the demands I’m under and we work together really well,” said North,
“Myself, the club and the union have a very good understanding of where each other are, where we need to go and together it’s formed one of the best relationships I’ve ever worked in from a rugby point of view.
“For me the situation I’m in suits me down to the ground. I’m getting top-level rugby in Europe and the Premiership, then I’m also able to play for my country if I’m selected.”
Wales and British and Irish Lions flanker Lydiate completed his move back to the Ospreys last week after forcing an early release from his contract at Paris club Racing.
Bosses from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) have ended years of in-fighting to increase their bargaining power by setting up the new dual-contract system with national captain Sam Warburton the first to commit to the new deals.
The new set up opens the door for the likes of centre Jamie Roberts to return to the Welsh regions, although North and Leicester fly-half Owen Williams seemed destined to stay put in the Aviva Premiership.
“I think it’s going the right way definitely,” said Wales and Lions wing North.
“At the moment it’s still in its early days of being organised.
“It’s still in its infancy, but the more people that want it and take it up, the quicker it will get up to speed and everything will settle down.
“I still think it’s not quite where it needs to be, but that’s because it’s all starting afresh and progressing.
“It’s a good step in the right direction towards giving the union and the regions the chance of being competitive, in terms of deals
“The feeling is people are relieved all around about the dual contracts.
“It’s good to know there’s finally actually a feasible option for the boys to come back if that’s what they need.
“There was such uncertainty but now there is that option to come home, you can get the support of the regions and the union and they are working together rather than against each other.
“So that will benefit the regions and the union as well.”
Dan Lydiate