The Ospreys have confirmed that Wales back George North will return after a year out through injury this weekend and could face the Vodacom Bulls on 20 May.

North suffered a knee injury in April 2021 which cut his season short and marred any chances of him playing against the Springboks in last year’s British & Irish Lions series.

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Ospreys head coach Toby Booth confirmed that 105 Test capped-player will be in the squad for Saturday’s local derby against the Scarlets, but did not say whether he would start or play from the bench.

“George is available and that’s the exciting part,” said Booth.

“With George, we got him to that point and then his body would react and then we would have to back it down.

“It wasn’t straightforward. We can only be governed by how the player feels and reacts.”

Should North come through his comeback game unscathed, he could face the Bulls when the Ospreys host the South African team at the Liberty Stadium in the final round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on 20 May.

“We’ve finally got to a situation where his body’s good enough to back up to the training he requires to perform well. So he’s now available,” Booth added.

“We’ll see what happens after this weekend to see how he pulls up for the following game.

“Like with all of our players, our aim is not to get them back for one-offs. It’s to get them back and stay back. It’s important we have the welfare of our players at the centre of decisions we make.”

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