Rugby great Jonah Lomu has said that the expectation of a nation will be on fellow winger George North when he returns to the field this weekend.

North has not played competitively since March after suffering from a serious concussion for Northampton against Wasps, but returns to Wales's starting lineup against Ireland.

"The weight of the nation of the Welsh is on his shoulders," Lomu told reporters. "They are sitting there with bated breath waiting for him to get out on the paddock with his teammates."

"It will be fantastic seeing the big man out on the wing. I felt for the man. I don't know what it's like getting concussion because I've never been knocked out, even though I've been kicked and ran into a few knees I came out the other side.

"That's part and parcel of the game but the powers that be have put stringent laws in there and player welfare is always number one."

North, 23, will become the youngest player in Test history to reach 50 caps when he plays this weekend.