George North: Wales and Ospreys centre out for at least two weeks after facial surgery
- Published
George North has started six games for Ospreys this season as well as four Tests for Wales
Wales centre George North has had an operation after suffering a facial injury during the Ospreys' Heineken Champions Cup defeat by Leicester.
North, 30, will miss at least two weeks after damaging his cheekbone in a heavy collision.
"He had an operation yesterday and that went really well and it's not too bad in relation to what it is," said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.
"A couple of weeks hopefully and he'll be back at it, which is great."
North was injured in the build-up to the Ospreys first try in their 23-17 loss to the Tigers at Swansea.com stadium.
The British and Irish Lion started all four of Wales' autumn internationals and has won 109 caps.
He is likely to play a prominent part in Warren Gatland's Six Nations plans with Wales opening the campaign against Ireland on 4 February in Cardiff.
North will miss the Ospreys' Champions Cup tie at Montpellier on Saturday and is an expected absentee for the festive United Rugby Championship derbies against Scarlets and Cardiff, although it could have been worse.
"It's all gone well, he'll be good within a two to three-week period," added Booth.
"Any facial injury is always a worry but he's all good. I've seen him this week and he's got a nice shiny black eye.
"Outside of that he's quite buoyant, so that probably speaks volumes about how he feels."
Fellow Ospreys and Wales centre Owen Watkin will also miss the festive period after suffering a knee injury playing against Georgia in November.
"He's had a small tidy-up knee operation but he's OK," added Booth.
"He's around and about. He's not training yet, but we don't think it's too serious. He should be back in training in the next couple of weeks."
Ospreys and Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe is expected to miss the start of the Six Nations with a shoulder injury.
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