Intro:

Wales coach Warren Gatland explains the omission of winger George North after he was concussed again against England last week.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: Warren Gatland (English) Wales coach (on the decision to leave out winger George North due to his concussion):

"Well, I spoke to the medics about him as an individual. We said, 'Look, he's taken a knock in the weekend' and they said, 'Look. There's a high chance he'll pass the concussion tests and will be available for selection this this week' - given the fact he wouldn't have taken a huge part in training this week. We said, you know....we came to the decoision collectively that was it better for him as an individual - and making sure, from a welfare perspective, that we didn't consider for him to play this week - given that he had taken a few knocks last weekend. Given the previous history of the knock in Autumn that kept him out for three weeks. We felt that was the right decision in terms of a medical decision - and a rugby decision - for Gerorge in terms of his welfare and, you know, we are protecting the image of the game as well. That's how that decision was made."

Q: So, the knock in the Autumn was quite relevant?

"Absolutely. Yeah. I mean if he hadn't taken the knock in the Autumn, I think we would have continued with the protocols and made sure. Look, it's all speculation. I can imagine if we hadn't made this decision, and then George goes out on Sunday and gets another knock - how will that look for George? How will that look for the team? How is it going to look for rugby as a whole? So, I'm pleased. Look, give us a little bit of credit. I we didn't do this, and he took another knock, then it would be bad image for the game - and the amount of criticism and abuse that would probably receive afterwards from.....you know, all sorts of people. I don't think it's worth making that decision at they moment."