Wales call ‘means everything’ to Evans

Editor

Wales prop Rob Evans will win his first start against Italy this weekend, but is delighted to have got to this point the hard way.

The Scarlets loosehead won his first cap off the bench against Ireland in Round Four, doing his part in a gigantic defensive performance to repel the champions and end their hopes of a Grand Slam.

Injury however to Gethin Jenkins has now opened the door for Evans to start in Rome, who was forced off at half-time with a hamstring issue.

Evans is understandably over the moon about this first start, having worked hard to reach the top.

"This means everything to me," he told the South Wales Evening Post.

"In some ways I am glad it wasn't handed on a plate to me, I have had to work for it. I just need to keep on working hard now."

Evans added that he sought advice from other Scarlets who made the step up to Test rugby before his debut.

"It was a tough half [against Ireland]. That amount of phases is not something you get in regional rugby and my lungs were going a little bit.

"Jon Davies and Sanj (Liam Williams), my old Scarlets mate and my current Scarlets mate, just said 'suck it in boy' and I just kept going. It was awesome how all the boys were just picking each other up."