George North will learn today whether or not he has any chance of helping the Scarlets finally get a win in Pool 5 in rounds five and six.
The 20-year-old Welsh wonder-wing was carried out of the Scarlets' 47-17 PRO12 defeat by league leaders Ulster after catching a knee in his neck. He had his head put into a neck brace and it took more than five minutes to remove him from the field by stretcher.
A Scarlets spokesperson confirmed over the weekend there was no serious damage incurred to North's neck and that he was able to travel back to Wales from Belfast with the team as scheduled.
"George was taken to hospital after leaving the pitch where he had an x-ray and a scan on his neck as a precaution. Both examinations were clear and showed there was no structural damage," she said.
"He left hospital on the night with his neck still in a brace and was able to travel home with the team. His neck is obviously sore and the next step will be for our medical team to re-examine him on Monday morning.
"It is impossible to say whether or not he will be ruled out of action for any period of time before the doctors have been able to further assess his injury."
The Scarlets have two rounds of Heineken Cup action ahead of them, with another trip to Ireland scheduled for this weekend for a clash with reigning European champions Leinster. They then host their Pool leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne before attentions turn to the RBS 6 Nations.
The injury to North was not what Wales interim coach Rob Howley wanted to see a mere month away from the launch of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations. With Rhys Preistland already ruled-out of the tournament, Ashley Beck a doubtful starter and Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny only hitting the comeback trail at the weekend, Wales can ill-afford to lose any more players to injury.
Defending champions Wales host Ireland in their opening encounter at the Millennium Stadium on 2 February, when they will be aiming to halt an alarming run of seven successive defeats in the second half of 2012.
