George North: Signing is 'fantastic' for Ospreys - Williams
Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugby
George North signing for Ospreys is "fantastic" for the region, says legendary Wales wing Shane Williams.
Ospreys have won the battle to sign the Wales and British and Irish Lions wing who returns to Wales from Northampton.
In November, 2017 North announced he would return to Wales from Northampton on a National Dual Contract [NDC].
"It would be fantastic to have him there. He'd be a massive inclusion in the region," said Williams ahead of the confirmation North has chosen Ospreys.
Signing an NDC means the Welsh Rugby Union will pay 60% of North's salary while his playing and training schedule will be decided in discussions between the Wales management and his regional bosses.
'World class'
North will return to Wales five years after leaving Scarlets for Saints.
"I'd love to see him at the Ospreys," added Williams.
"He, alongside players like Justin Tipuric, can make a difference.
"He's world class, any region would want him."
As his team of origin, rules agreed between the WRU and regions mean Scarlets had the first chance to speak to North about a possible return.
However, Scarlets and Dragons' interest in the player has ended and Ospreys saw off Blues' attempts at signing the player.
The Swansea-based team have a new permanent coach in Allen Clarke following Steve Tandy's February departure.
Ospreys 'capable of winning things'
Ospreys have had a disappointing season, but can still qualify for the top-tier European Champions Cup in 2018-19 via a play-off next month.
They parted company with Tandy after just four wins from 13 games in the Pro14 and after being knocked out of the European Champions Cup.
Since Clarke became interim boss, Ospreys have won four of their nine games and on Saturday face Cardiff Blues on Welsh rugby's Judgement Day at Principality Stadium, their last regular league fixture of the campaign.
Williams said: "The Ospreys have definitely underachieved this year and I think George and all of the Ospreys players know that.
"They are a club, when you look at the calibre of players they have, that are capable of winning things."
Watch Cardiff Blues v Ospreys live on S4C's Y Clwb Rygbi, Saturday, 28 April, kick-off 17:35 BST.
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Pro14 is miles below premiership in standard as every game matters.
Every team in the Pro14 needs to qualify for Europe so all games matter. Bearing in mind England changed the rules already for Europe and still get battered. Also, local rivalries to win. Stupid comment. Try again...
They may wish to try and do something similar and stop crying about it.
Pointing fingers at him for not looking interested at Saints? Nobody looks interested in playing for Saints currently! They're a rabble and he's wise to leave.
Ospreys aren't much better mind...
As to which league is best, no way of proving it so probably an argument best left to the playground.
Nothing at all wrong with recruiting from within. But after all the fanfare of the worldwide search it does look a bit silly.
Stop press! Looks like Georgie signed anyway!
And your stupid comments are borne out by all the Eng teams in semis of Euro cup, oh wait??
No complaints if North does come, problem we have had is so many injuries in our squad our wings seem to brake after a game or two.
"Well he's hardly set the premiership on fire"..
The odd SH import aside, exactly who has set the premiership on fire?
You may be onto something Eddie Jones has missed, he most certainly didnt select any of those live-wires last 6N, you might want to drop him a line?
"No complaints if North does come, problem we have had is so many injuries in our squad our wings seem to brake after a game or two." That says more about the modern game than those that are broken. Twinkle-toe Shanes, more capable of going around rather than through are a dying breed - alas! If N can get back some of the 2013 form he'll be a great signing, he has the physique.