George North says concussion ordeal bore 'horrible weight' but helped improve protocols

George North has said the "horrible weight" of publicity after a series of head injuries made him "the poster boy" for the concussion debate, but that the attention ultimately helped push improvements in how the sport handles brain injuries.

The 33-year-old winger revealed in a wide-ranging interview and his new autobiography that he suffered four serious blows to the head in a five-month period a decade ago, was sidelined for six months and at times contemplated quitting rugby as he struggled with balance and a constant pressure in his head. "My name for some reason became partnered with concussion," North told BBC Sport. "But it actually highlighted concussion - brought it to the forefront. Much better protocols are in place now off the back of it."

North was first concussed for Wales against New Zealand in November 2014. He suffered two further head impacts during the 2015 Six Nations, including an appearance against England in which Wales' coaching staff were criticised after he remained on the field, and a fourth while playing for Northampton Saints in April 2015. The injuries forced him to stop playing for six months before medical staff cleared him to return for the 2015 World Cup.

In the book North details the physical and practical effects he experienced during recovery, saying he could not do simple household tasks such as washing up and that he felt under intense scrutiny as doctors, commentators and social media debated his condition. He said he has stayed in touch with the specialist who helped his recovery and continues exercises to preserve his brain and mental health, adding he has "no worries" about long-term cognitive effects.

Asked about a landmark concussion lawsuit involving hundreds of former players, North said he sympathised with those affected but limited his comments to his own experience. "I have the utmost confidence and trust in the medical team that I worked with," he said. "We probably went over-cautious on some aspects of it because, first and foremost, my health was the most important." He declined to comment on other players' conditions.

North retired from international rugby last year with 121 caps, making him one of Wales' most-capped players. He made his international debut in 2010 and played through a period that included two Six Nations Grand Slams and World Cup semi-final appearances in 2011 and 2019. He said it had been "difficult" to watch Wales' recent decline to a record low world ranking and a run of 18 defeats in 21 months, but added that rebuilding was under way with Steve Tandy appointed as head coach and that the process would take time. "Sometimes you have to go through [this] to reset and refocus and go again," North said.

The former Scarlets and Ospreys winger also addressed proposed structural changes to the Welsh professional game being considered by the Welsh Rugby Union, which has opened a consultation that could cut the number of men’s regional teams from four to two. The Welsh Rugby Players Association has warned the proposals could drive talent away from Wales. North said an ideal model would retain four regions but acknowledged that sustainability concerns meant change was likely necessary. "Whether we go to two or three, we probably need a change to rejig the system, to start the ball rolling again," he said. He also reiterated support for a professional presence in north Wales while saying decisions should prioritise what is best for the national team.

North commented on R360, a proposed breakaway competition fronted by Mike Tindall that aims to offer substantial contracts and a global schedule. While the new competition faces questions over sanctioning by World Rugby, North said additional revenue streams and new products could benefit a sport contending with financial pressures at grassroots and club levels. "Having this new product that's coming out to help generate more money and interest in the game is brilliant," he said. "It's only going to benefit the game having another stream and another point to bring new people in to make the game exciting."

Now playing for Provence in the French second division, North is married to former Team GB Olympic cyclist Becky James and has two sons. He remains a prominent voice in discussions about player welfare, the future shape of the professional game in Wales and how best to safeguard players as rugby continues to adapt protocols and policies around concussion.