Rob Evans, once high among the most sought-after props as a member of his country’s last Grand Slam, is being driven to the brink of premature retirement from senior rugby. “I’m probably going to have to finish,’’ he tells this column. “The body is telling me it’s had enough.’’
The cumulative effect of wear and tear leaves him no option but to bow out before his time by a long way, certainly compared to the careers of at least a trio of loosehead contemporaries: Australia’s James Slipper (35), Ireland’s evergreen Cian Healy (37) and the Argentinian Francisco Gomes Kodela (39).
At 32, Evans is resigned to having reached the end of an eventful road as a full-time professional after one season in Major League Rugby with the newly created Miami Sharks in Fort Lauderdale. A fanfare of trumpets in Florida heralded his signing last year. “We are delighted to confirm the amazing addition of Rob Evans as the next player to wear the iconic Sharks jersey,’’ the Miami franchise proclaimed. “We are filled with excitement to have him on our team. Welcome, Rob.’’
Evans had signed for two seasons. “I loved it over there,’’ he says. “The weather was unbelievable and the standard of rugby was higher than I thought. After the first season, I had a conversation with them that I wasn’t able to do another season.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin December 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin December 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.
