George North steps up comeback and Lions to pocket huge sum (original) (raw)

These are your rugby headlines on Tuesday, October 8

North steps up comeback

George North has posted an update on his social media channels as he steps up his comeback from major injury.

North hasn't played since Wales' 24-21 defeat to Italy at this year's Six Nations - his final appearance in a Test shirt after announcing his retirement from international rugby.

It also brought an end to his domestic career in his homeland, having already penned a deal to join French club Provence from the Ospreys.

He has signed a two-year deal in France but he has yet to make an appearance for his new side, with his recovery from a serious Achilles injury still ongoing.

George North posted the update on his Instagram story (Image: George North/Instagram)

However, the British Lion is making progress, and he posted a picture of his adidas boots, accompanied by the Adele song 'Hello', with the musical playing. Get the latest Welsh rugby breaking news by signing up to our free daily newsletter here.

Provence have played five games so far this season and sit fourth in D2 with three wins and two defeats.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has said he held a conversation with North over a potential return as the coach looks to build his squad towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

"I did have a conversation with George North and try to leave the door open to him, depending on what happens in France," he told The Rugby Pod earlier this year. "I think he would have loved the opportunity to stay in Wales if there was something on the table for him, but unfortunately there wasn't. He's got to recover from his Achilles injury."

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Lions players' payday

The Telegraph report players in the Lions squad next year will bank around £100,000 each as part of a new profit-share agreement.

The Lions announced on Monday the groundbreaking agreement which will see those selected share in the money generated from the event in Australia.

The agreement marks the creation of a new partnership model in which a portion of post-Tour profits will be made available for sharing between players.

Tour profits are expected to rise to more than £10million this time around, which would see players bank £100,000 per player.

That is a significant uplift from the 2017 tour to New Zealand, which saw players rewarded with the maximum payment of £80,000.

The last tour, in 2021, was impacted by Covid, with a £48,000 reduced fee given to each player, with a £10,000 bonus had they beaten South Africa. The series ended 2-1 to the Boks.

"Being part of these discussions on behalf of players across the four countries has been a privilege," said Wales back-row Jac Morgan of the profit-share agreement. "As a proud team player and international, I understand the importance of bringing people together. I think this agreement is therefore a great reflection of what the Lions really stands for."

Macleod happy to be back

Josh Macleod says it was good to get minutes under his belt in the Scarlets' 23-24 loss at the weekend.

Macleod returned to the side after a long-term knee injury and despite being disappointed with the result at Parc y Scarlets, the Wales man admitted it was good to be back in the mix after nine months on the sidelines.

"I'm getting back into the swing of things and it's good to get a full 80 minutes for the first time in nine or 10 months," he said.

"It's good on a personal note but that doesn't matter. We need to turn things around and close out games because come the end of the season, that's what counts and that's all I'm thinking about."

He added: “There are glimpses of improvement for sure, Dwayne (Peel) has mentioned individual errors, myself included and we seem to be our own worst enemy at the moment.

“We are giving away some soft points. Defensively we are taking steps every week, we are feeling comfortable fulfilling those roles. If we can cut those errors out, something is going to click.”

Cheika: Ban 'hurts my reputation'

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

Leicester boss Michael Cheika insists the disciplinary process that resulted in a two-match ban for disrespecting an independent match-day doctor (IMDD) left him questioning whether he was welcome in the Gallagher Premiership.

Cheika was banned for the Tigers’ 42-10 rout of Newcastle on Saturday and watched the game remotely in Paris accompanied by his wife before her return to their native Australia.

With one match of the ban suspended, he will be back in charge for this weekend’s clash with Northampton.

But Cheika has been left bruised by the process that was triggered by a disagreement with the IMDD over the decision to permanently remove Ollie Chessum during Leicester’s victory over Exeter on September 21.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I was really disappointed,” said Cheika, who appeared before the disciplinary panel last Tuesday.

“Initially I didn’t want to participate at all in the judicial process because I didn’t want to hear the outcome because I knew what the outcome was going to be. I felt the decision wasn’t right and it hurts my reputation. I was disappointed and I almost felt like, and it’s like I’m spitting the dummy here, but I felt they don’t really want me to be in the league here because what happened is a really minor-type thing.

“Once you participate in the process then you have to abide by the rules of the game, I suppose, and that’s how it worked out.

“I want to stand up for myself but I don’t want to disrespect the process in any way, shape or form. Mainly because I don’t want to risk getting in trouble again. That’s important - not for me, I don’t care - but I don’t want to give the team any grief. That’s the last thing we need.”

The written judgement for the hearing described Cheika’s behaviour when talking to the IMDD as “overly aggressive with intense eye contact”.