George North will be available for Wales' autumn opener against France after a pre-season friendly between the Ospreys and Scarlets was deemed to count towards his four-game ban.
The 28-year-old was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt in August - picking up a ban for "four meaningful games".
Having already served one of those in the Ospreys' final match of last season against Cardiff Blues, it was expected the next meaningful games would be the Ospreys' first two matches of the new season before the clash with France on October 24.
However, Wales' trip to Paris won't count towards his ban after today's pre-season friendly against the Scarlets was deemed as meaningful for the Ospreys wing.
The Welsh Rugby Union spoke with the PRO14 this week and received confirmation the game with Scarlets will be classed as meaningful.
That's because players' performance in the game will be reviewed as part of the selection process for internationals - meaning it carries a significant enough merit.
It means North will miss the opening game of the 2020-21 season at Edinburgh on 3 October and the visit of Ulster to the Liberty Stadium seven days later.
But crucially, he will be free to play against France on October 24 if he's picked.
That will come as a boost to Wayne Pivac following the news Scarlets winger Johnny McNicholl will be out for eight weeks with an ankle injury.
