Sunday 4 December 2016 00:00, UK
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder denied that George North had been knocked out during Saturday's 19-11 defeat at Leicester.
North crashed to the ground heavily after being tackled in the air by Adam Thompstone in the 17th minute, earning the Tigers player a yellow card, and television replays appeared to show the Wales winger unconscious.
The 24-year-old left the field for a head injury assessment, after a lengthy period of treatment, but reappeared five minutes later and finished the game.
North has had issues with concussion in the past, but Mallinder insisted he had not been knocked out on this occasion.
"I don't make those decisions and our doctors and medical staff are really clear that if anyone gets knocked unconscious or has had a knock where they look like they are unconscious, they need to come straight off," he said.
"It's as simple as that. You don't go to be assessed - you are off straight away. George has had some previous issues so he took it steady.
"The doctor was very, very happy even as he walked off that he was just going to go for an assessment and thankfully he could come back on.
"Our doctor makes those decisions but there are protocols that go on with people looking at the incident."
The Saints released a statement later on Saturday stating North was "communicating immediately with attending medics" and was only passed fit to return after he was "fully assessed by the doctor".
The statement read: "George was attended to by the Northampton Saints medical team rapidly after landing on his side following a challenge in the air by Adam Thompstone.
"George was communicating immediately with attending medics and complaining of neck pain.
"Significant neck injury was excluded on the field but on review of video footage pitch side, the team followed World Rugby protocols and used a Head Injury Assessment given the potential mechanism for head injury.
"George was fully assessed by the doctor and passed fit to return to play.
"Northampton Saints places the highest importance on player care and their safety is the club's primary concern."
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