George North must prove fitness to join up with Wales
Scarlets coach Nigel Davies has told Warren Gatland that winger George North will only be able to join up with the Welsh squad if he proves his fitness by playing for the Scarlets first.
Wales take on Australia on Saturday 6 November before they play Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand in the other autumn internationals.
Gatland called up the 18-year-old, despite the fact that the player is not expected to recover from an ankle injury for two more weeks.
Davies said, “I would anticipate in all reality that he'll have to play some rugby for us before he potentially plays in any of the autumn series games.”
However Davies admitted that the player is ready for the rigours of international rugby.
"If I look at him, and I really don't want to over-hype him, but he seems a natural international rugby player to me,” said the Scarlets coach.
"I think George has shown a lot of potential, he's shown his worth he has great stature, great pace and is an intelligent rugby player,” he added.
Dragons winger Aled Brew was called up to train with the 34 man Welsh panel and he will provide cover for North if the player fails to recover from his ankle injury.
Davies was hopeful that the teenager would be able to feature and agreed with Gatland that a step up to international rugby would only benefit the Scarlets back.
The Scarlets coach would expect North to show his club form and make an impact if picked to play by Wales.
Davies said, "George has obviously benefited from the exposure he's had with us this season, he's fitted into this squad very well and very quickly. He's not just a passenger he's made an impact in games for us.
Gatland will hope that the uncapped North will be fit to do the same for Wales.
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