The Scotsman reports

Rugby: Arachnophobia only fear for confident Evans brothers



Published Date: 03 February 2009
By DAVID FERGUSON
IT WOULD appear only to be a matter of time before the Evans brothers feature in an RBS Six Nations match together and become the latest in a line of Scots siblings to grace the championship, but they may have to clear the Murrayfield dressing room of spiders first.
Thom Evans has become Scotland's pin-up boy of the Six Nations this year with in-depth interviews across the countries and this week he fronts the cover of Rugby World Magazine. If his membership of a boy band that toured with Westlife attracts the colour, it is Evans' speed and natural ability that has marked him out as the championship approaches as something special on the rugby field.

Sky's former England stand-off Stuart Barnes even picked him in his starting British and Irish Lions XV at the weekend, which is perhaps over-stating it for a player in the highly-competitive wing position with just three caps, but it rekindles the old adage 'there is no substitute for speed'.

Evans is expected to be named tomorrow in Scotland's team to face Wales on Sunday, his first appearance in the championship, with brother Max on the bench. Both have shown themselves to be fearless players, flying in among boots and heads in tackles, most recently to help secure Glasgow's famous win in Toulouse, but, in Rugby World, Thom reveals they both share a phobia off the field.

"Spiders," he announced. "You get big house spiders up here (in Scotland] and if Max and I are watching TV and one comes in, we jump onto the couch. It's pretty ridiculous, two big rugby players jumping onto the couch. We take turns to get rid of them."

More pertinently, Evans believes that Scotland will this year ease concerns over a lack of tries against the top defences, Nathan Hines' touchdown against South Africa in November having been the first at Murrayfield in 14 months. Evans said: "I'm 100 per cent confident we can sort that out. We've got talented youngsters coming through in the forwards as well, some back-row forwards who are quick around the field. It won't be a problem in the Six Nations. On a personal note, I'm hoping to get on the scoresheet. That's definitely a goal. I've watched the Six Nations since it was the Five Nations and it's a fantastic tournament. There are great crowds and a huge buzz. I'd love to be involved. I was in the squad last year, but broke a bone in my foot.

"I've been in the squad for the past couple of years so I feel this is the time to try to get a regular spot. I'm going to do everything I can to do that. There's a lot of competition with the likes of Simon Webster, who has taught me a lot, and Sean Lamont. They're great players and great guys as well.

"The Magners League is one level, but Test rugby is a step above that. I found that out in the New Zealand game. The intensity and the pace of the game means you don't get a chance to think; you just have to react to your instincts and that comes with experience. South Africa was just as physical and intense, and it was good to play those games against two of the best teams in the world. It was a good way to start my Test career and hopefully I can move forward in the Six Nations as well."

Evans, who is good friends with England stars James Haskell and Danny Cipriani from schooldays at Wellington College and Wasps, praises coach Frank Hadden and his enthusiasm for the team to play "off the cuff", and believes Scotland are now on an upwards curve.

"I know people say that a lot and you're right – we have to start winning games to answer the critics. Everyone in the squad knows that and it's up to the players now to deliver come the Six Nations. I've every confidence we'll do that."

This article was posted on 3-Feb-2009, 08:28 by Hugh Barrow.