Saints boss will not help Wales

Jim Mallinder, the Director of Rugby of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the Northampton Saints has stated that he will neither allow nor help Wales develop star player George North into a centre despite the winger playing a starring role in the club’s recent 15-17 win against the London Wasps as well as his run in the position for the Wales national team.

Mallinder has constantly stated that the best position for North is on the flanks and he will revert to his role as a winger for the foreseeable future after the club’s main man in the centre George Pisi returns to the side having served a six game ban.

Although Mallinder has expressed his delight at the willingness of the winger to cover in midfield, he has stressed it is a relief for them to have George Pisi back before adding that the team sees North as a winger. There has been a lot of talk in the Welsh camp about developing North into a centre but Mallinder has stated that unfortunately for Warren Gatland, the Welsh manager, the Northampton Saints won’t be making their team selections according to his wishes.

He added that he will be doing what is best for the club and the club sees North as a solution to their answers for a starring wing player.

And although North has himself not come out and commented about his best position on the field, it is believed that he doesn’t mind playing at centre as it gets him more involved in the game and helps him contribute more to the cause of the team as well.

But if the Northampton Saints boss Mallinder gets his way, then he will continue to use George North as a winger rather than playing him at centre.