Shane Williams’ column: George North will be fit and firing for World Cup if he’s well looked after

I fear for George North and Wales that one of the game’s biggest stars could miss the greatest tournament.
It has been a really tough time for George and I’m so pleased he will get a month off rugby.
There is no hiding from the blows he has suffered, especially right now with the huge focus on head injuries.
Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton had to sit out 12 weeks earlier this season and if George gets another knock, after concussion in the autumn, Six Nations and now for Northampton, he will face the same.
And that could be a massive blow to Wales so close to a World Cup.
We all saw against Italy just how dangerous he can be when his confidence is up. He is a match-winner and lifted the whole Welsh team.
Everyone in Wales will have their fingers crossed and Warren Gatland will be desperate to have him at the World Cup.
I’m sure Gatland would want to wrap him up in cotton wool until the tournament and perhaps even rest him for the warm-up games.
But Saints have their own priorities as they chase silverware at the business end of the season and will want him back in May for the play-offs.
You feel bad talking about who wants George to play and when, given the blows he has had.
Everyone’s first concern will be for George’s welfare especially because he has gone down like a boxer every time.
When you look at the incidents, they weren’t just knocks. He was completely out cold, his body went limp and landed awkwardly. They all looked awful so he has to be looked after.