GEORGE North has got a ‘nasty black eye’ after undergoing surgery last week, but should be available to returning Wales national coach Warren Gatland in time for the start of the Six Nations.

The Goytre-based back underwent a cheekbone operation on Wednesday, December 14, after taking a nasty knock playing for the Ospreys against Leicester in the Champions Cup the previous Sunday.

But the Ospreys have revealed that he should only be out for two to three weeks, which means he should be back in time for the start of the Six Nations tournament at home in Cardiff to World No1 team Ireland on February 4.

Three-time Grand Slam-winning coach Gatland, who replaced Wayne Pivac earlier this month after only three wins all year in 10 games, will be relieved to see the centurion cap centre on the mend ahead of the 2023 World Cup year.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth revealed: “He had an operation and that went really well. He’ll be good within a two to three-week period, which is great. I certainly think in the New Year he’ll be OK so that’ll be good for us.

“Any facial injury is always a worry but he’s all good. He’s got a nice shiny black eye. Outside of that he’s quite buoyant so that probably speaks volumes about how he feels.”

Only one game of grassroots rugby was able to be played locally at the weekend owing to frozen grounds, Blaenavon going down 43-15 at Penallta.

At regional level, it proved a great weekend for Welsh teams, as Ospreys beat French champions Montpellier 21-10 in the Heineken Champions Cup to record one of their finest ever wins in Europe, and Scarlets beat Cheetahs 45-26 in South Africa and Cardiff hammered Newcastle 47-10 up north in the European Chalenge Cul.

Only the Dragons lost out, narrowly going down 27-21 at home to French outfit Pau.

Forgotten Lions and Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb certainly gave his former mentor Gatland a nudge after being ignored by Pivac, putting in a stellar show for the Ospreys.

And coach Booth said after the victory: “I was emotional because I know what people have put in and I know their desire to get a result.”

Dragons host Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade on Monday (December 26) in a Boxing Day United Rugby Championship derby, kick-off 2.30pm..