George North is urged to get Test clearance

Wales have asked George North to ensure he protects his international future before completing his proposed £250,000 transfer to Northampton.
WRU officials have advised the player and his agent to insist on a clause guaranteeing him full release rather than put his Test future in jeopardy. The domestic agreement with their four regions ensures that home-based players are released two weeks before the first international.
French and English clubs are under no such obligation to their Welsh signings unless those concerned have agreed otherwise. Under IRB rules they do not have to release their players until the week before an international.
“Our existing contract with the regions guarantees the degree of player release required by the Wales squad,” John Williams, the WRU’s head of communications, said.
“When a player decides to move, or is the subject of a transfer, we would encourage them to achieve release clauses in their contracts to ensure they are fully available for Wales squad duty.”
After The Rugby Paper’s revelation last week of Northampton’s £250,000 offer to the Scarlets for North, the English club say they are giving the player ‘time and space’ to make up his mind. North, still 20, would be the youngest player to leave Wales.
Williams added: “Of course we are disappointed that a Wales squad player developed through the WRU elite player pathway is facing a potential transfer while still contracted to a Welsh region.”
PETER JACKSON