George North: Saints confirm offer for Scarlets and Wales wing

Northampton have confirmed making an offer for star Scarlets and Wales wing George North.

North, 20, and with 31 caps is contracted to the Scarlets until the end of the 2013-14 season.

Saints chairman Keith Barwell told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo: "It's a big decision for George and we don't want to put undue pressure on him.

"He's got to make sure that when he makes the decision it's the right one for him."

The Aviva Premiership club boss says they will give North "time and space" to ponder his decision.

North's agent, Christian Abt of ABC Sport Management, revealed the Scarlets have been in talks with Northampton over the player's future.

And Scarlets legend Phil Bennett has said the Scarlets may feel compelled to cash-in on North.

Welsh speaker North, who was born in the English town of King's Lynn, made his Test debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa in 2010.

He scored two tries on that occasion and went on to play a starring role as Wales reached the 2011 World Cup semi-finals, before helping them secure the 2012 and 2013 Six Nations titles.

If he decided to leave, North would join France-bound centre Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate in exiting the Welsh regions.

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins has bucked the trend by opting to return to Cardiff Blues from Toulon ahead of the 2013-14 season.

And North's fellow Wales wing Alex Cuthbert has resisted the temptation to move at this stage of his career.

Likewise, Ospreys have secured Wales fly-half Dan Biggar until the end of the 2015-2016 season.

However, Mike Phillips (Bayonne), James Hook (Perpignan), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Biarritz), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Paul James (Bath), Craig Mitchell (Exeter) and Rhys Gill (Saracens) are among Wales Test players playing outside the nation.

Since making his debut for the region in September 2010, North has made 40 appearances for the Scarlets - nine more than he has made for Wales.