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George North 'disciplined internally' for missing Northampton Saints training

George North has been "disciplined internally" by Northampton after he accepted responsibility for missing a training session ahead of his club's game against Sale earlier this month.

Wales wing North did not play in the Aviva Premiership match on March 3 despite it falling on a Six Nations rest weekend, with his coach Alan Gaffney later suggesting he did not want to feature for Saints.

The incident led to a standoff between the player and his club, while Warren Gatland appeared to open the door for an early return to Wales for the former Scarlets man, who has agreed to head home next season.

North returned to Northampton training on Monday, and following talks between him and the club's hierarchy it was revealed that while he had been disciplined, he would remain available for selection until the end of the current campaign.

"George, Alan Gaffney, Alan Dickens and myself had a set of constructive meetings on his return to the club on Monday," Saints chief executive Mark Darbon said in a statement. "George accepts the disciplinary action we have taken.

"George has enormous affection for this club and its supporters, and is fully committed to helping the club finish the Aviva Premiership season as strongly as possible.

"We now consider this matter resolved and won't be commenting further."

North has signed a National Dual Contract (NDC) with the Welsh Rugby Union but his exact destination has not yet been agreed.