‘Heartbroken’ George North ruled out of Lions tour with ACL injury

George North described himself as "heartbroken" as he confirmed he had been ruled out of this summer's Lions tour of South Africa with a knee injury.

The Wales star ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Ospreys on Saturday.

After a strong title-winning Six Nations campaign with Wales, North was expected to be selected for the tour of South Africa this summer.

"Sport can be cruel," tweeted the 29-year-old, who has twice toured as a Lions player. "We all know the risks when we take the field. Unfortunately,

“I ruptured my ACL and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement."

Ospreys confirmed North was out for the season. "The Wales wing saw a specialist earlier this week and will undergo surgery next week," they said in a statement.

North joins England lock Joe Launchbury, who was yesterday ruled out with an ACL injury, in missing the tour. Gatland names his squad a week tomorrow.

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