Botica won’t lie down for Evans

Editor

Handed the starting role for Harlequins following Nick Evans’ shoulder injury, Ben Botica doesn’t want to give the fly-half shirt back.

Handed the starting role for Harlequins following Nick Evans’ shoulder injury, Ben Botica doesn’t want to give the fly-half shirt back.

It’s been a rough start to the new campaign for Conor O’Shea’s men, with a 39-0 loss at home to Saracens followed up by Exeter’s 36-13 win on Sunday.

Despite the back-to-back heavy defeats Botica is happy to getting a run in the number ten shirt, having made 25 of his 35 Premiership appearances off the bench.

Eager to make the most of his chance, Botica won’t give the shirt back to Evans easily.

“It’s one of those things, once you get in the team and pull that shirt on you don’t want to let it go,” said Botica.

“Nick has done so much for the club, but I’ve got to do what I can while I have the chance.

“It’s been a mixed bag so far. I’m really pleased I have got two starts, but Sunday wasn’t good for me.

“It’s one of those things, the whole team is not going well, so it’s hard to look at from a personal perspective at the moment, but I’m going ok.”