George North banned for Wales game as Owen Farrell cleared to play all England matches

The wing received a red card after a dangerous tackle against the Dragons on August 23, and the lack of Welsh rugby games since means he'll miss autumn opener

George North is set to miss Wales’ friendly against France on October 24 as he serves out the rest of his suspension.

The Ospreys wing was banned for four games after being sent off for a dangerous challenge on the Dragons’ Ashton Hewitt during the 20-20 Guinness PRO14 draw in Swansea on August 23.

He sat out the derby against Cardiff Blues a week later and will be off limits for the first two rounds of the PRO14 when the new season starts in early October.

WalesOnline revealed the opening fixtures on Monday.

However, with no league fixtures pencilled in for the weekend of October 17, with European finals being played, North is likely to be unavailable for Wales’ match with the French in Paris the following weekend, with the game set to count as the fourth match of his time out.

Assuming the France game goes ahead despite rumblings from the Top14 that they could withhold players, the 98-cap player will be available to face Scotland in the Six Nations on October 31. You can read about the legal challenge to stop the France v Wales game here.

North accepted at his disciplinary hearing that his actions — he tackled an airborne Hewitt — had warranted a red card, but he could still be forgiven for feeling unimpressed at an outcome that seems likely to deny him a Wales cap.

His situation contrasts with that of Owen Farrell, who will not miss an England Test after falling foul of disciplinary chiefs in England.

The Saracens player’s offending tackle on Wasps’ Charlie Atkinson in a Gallagher Premiership match on September 5 was widely condemned as a “horror” hit but with a glut of league matches currently being played over the border, the England captain will complete his five-game suspension by October 5 - in plenty of time for his country’s autumn Tests.

Such are the swings and roundabouts of rugby's disciplinary process.

Farrell's initial 10-week ban was cut in half after testimony from England coach Eddie Jones, with published documents from the hearing revealing Farrell's remorse.

North’s ban spans four meaningful games and the Ospreys said after it has been dished out they wouldn’t be arranging friendlies specifically with him in mind.

"I’m not intending to get four friendly fixtures that I’m going to say are meaningful,” head coach Toby Booth said at a press conference.

"It is what it is, unfortunately.

“As and when George is available for us, we'll get him back up and running. He'll still play an active part in training, in the development of youngsters and he can contribute.

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"That's important for him mentally and physically."