The last thing Warren Gatland wanted to see with the 2017 Under Armour Series less than a month away was George North being helped off the pitch at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Northampton Saints wing went down twice in the space of two minutes in the first half of his side’s Champions Cup defeat to reigning champions Saracens with a left knee injury.

The first time he was felled in a tackled by Brad Barritt, but on the second occasion his knee buckled and he just fell to the ground as he attempted to keep up with play.

It was a huge contrast in fortunes to fellow Wales and British & Irish Lion Liam Williams, who marked his European debut for the English side with two tries in the opening 30 minutes.

If, as suspected, North has ligament damage he could be a major doubt for the four fixtures next month and in December against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

His recent form might not have been as devastating as in the earlier part of his career, but Wales can ill-afford to be without a player who boasts 30 tries in 69 Tests for his country.

If North is forced out of the Under Armour Series then that will make Steff Evans all the more important. Given the form he is in this season he is likely to be the one to join Liam Williams on the wing ahead of Alex Cuthbert.