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George North is facing a battle to hold on to his place in the Wales team to face England in the Six Nations opener – and would have been dropped for the victory against South Africa last month had he not been injured.

WalesOnline has discovered that Warren Gatland was preparing to drop the selection bombshell of leaving North out of the final clash of the autumn against the Springboks, only for the player to be ruled out with concussion. Liam Williams, who ended up stepping in for North, would have been included on the wing even if his former Scarlets team mate had been fit.

North suffered his head injury during the 34-16 defeat to New Zealand the previous weekend, receiving the knock with 16 minutes remaining and Wales leading 13-10 following a penalty from full-back Leigh Halfpenny.

But the Wales management weren’t happy with how it occurred, North being sucked in off his wing and suffering a gash when he collided with team-mate Alun Wyn Jones as they both went to tackle the same player.

North’s mistake gave New Zealand the space for hooker Dane Coles and Richie McCaw to race into the Wales 22 and set up the position for flanker Jerome Kaino to be worked over for the try which prompted a late All Black tidal wave which included another three touchdowns.

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It was the final straw for coach Gatland and his backroom staff who will monitor North very closely between now and England’s visit to Cardiff for the start of the championship on February 6.

Although lethal finisher North has scored 19 tries in 45 internationals for Wales and starred for the Lions during last year’s conquest of Australia, concerns about his defence, work-rate and performances have troubled his bosses.

They believe his failure to smash wing Cornal Hendricks into touch was the real reason Wales ended up losing 31-30 to South Africa in Nelspruit last June, even though Williams was pilloried for the illegal tackle on Hendricks that led to the decisive penalty try.

North has been increasingly peppered by high balls from opponents who feel he is susceptible to that tactic but on a more general level Wales have been unhappy with his Test outings since last season’s Six Nations.

Although North has enjoyed some eye-catching form for Northampton, Wales have put question marks against his confidence, work-rate and lack of touches at the highest level.

North’s failure to roam the Test arena looking for work, as Wales’ record try-scorer Shane Williams used to do, has become a major issue with Gatland and backs guru Rob Howley wanting him to supply more go-forward as they attempt to play a more expansive game.

Now, unless North mounts a compelling case for selection for the big Six Nations kick-off against England, the 22-year-old faces being sidelined,with Williams, Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert in pole position to start.

The Wales management hope North will rise to the challenge and get back to the form which terrorised opponents in Tests, but they believe the onus is on him to convince them.