Evans’s form could give Wales boss a reminder

HE is Wales-qualified through his dad, the former Scarlets chairman Huw Evans, who is still on the board at the Llanellibased region.

And Lloyd Evans is increasingly making a name for himself in his new position of full-back for Gloucester.

The former England U20s player, who has converted from fly-half, showed his counterattacking potential with some classy play that triggered a move that almost ended in what BT Sport pundit Austin Healey reckoned would have been the try of the season.

It started after a kick through that Evans fielded not far from his own line, with the Cherry and Whites player having to turn as he collected the ball.

Rather than hoof the ball into touch, the Gloucester No. 15 sped past the first line of defence before dummying and stepping past the second would-be tackler and releasing Louis Rees-Zammit, who made 20 metres before stepping inside and offloading to Chris Harris, with Ben Meehan carrying the move on.

The ball was spread left where hooker Jack Singleton powered forward to within inches of the home line prior to prop Val Rapava-Ruskin crashing over the line, only to spill the ball in the act of touching down.

Healey said: “I reckon that would have been try of the season.”

Fellow BT Sport pundit Ugo Monye said of Evans: “His ability just to be able to beat that first tackle is just brilliant.”

Social media joined in the appreciation of Evans, with one poster saying: “He butchered a pass there but have been impressed with Lloyd Evans since he’s moved from 10 to 15 more regularly for Gloucester. Wales not exactly awash with full-back options, could be a decent one to look at.

“Right on cue, he sets up a devastating break.”

And BT Sport commentator Nick Mullins also commended Evans, hailing his versatility, his kicking, his aerial skills and worth to Gloucester’s squad, with the 25-year-old switching to fly-half later in the game.

Evans was actually born in Gloucester and educated in Cheltenham, while he has represented England at U18s and U20s.

But he is Welsh-qualified through his father and is known to be on the WRU’s exiles ‘hit list’ that monitors players outside of Wales who are eligible for the national team.

Harlequins won the Gallagher Premiership encounter 20-17.