Ospreys receive George North news they've been waiting for and coach addresses Justin Tipuric speculation

George North is set to put 12 months of injury misery behind him by featuring for the Ospreys against the Scarlets in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby in Swansea.

The 102-cap Wales international hasn’t been seen on a rugby pitch since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for the south-west Wales region against Cardiff on April 24 last year. The injury cost him a place on the Lions tour of South Africa, and North has missed two Wales campaigns as well as almost a full season with the Ospreys.

But now he’s ready to start back, with Ospreys head coach Toby Booth confirming as much during the region’s press call ahead of the date with the Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium.

"George is available,” said Booth, whose side have missed North’s firepower. "That's the exciting part. "

The Ospreys initially harboured hopes of the big man returning much earlier but North suffered a number of setbacks along the way. “His injury hasn’t been straightforward,” acknowledged Booth. “We can only be governed by how the player feels, how the player reacts, and we’ve finally got to a situation where George's body is good enough to back up the training he requires to perform well. So, from that point of view, he’s available.”

The Ospreys will not expect too much in the short term, but North's return will be a huge lift for them as they play out the closing games of their season. He has vast experience, can help give them go-forward and is a galvanising influence on others. He also doesn't need a second invitation to turn half-chances into tries.

Whether the 30-year-old starts against his old region or features off the bench will be revealed when the Ospreys announce their matchday squad on Friday. Booth