Evans: I owe my life to doctor’s quick reaction

Ten years on from his horrific injury against Wales, Thom Evans insists he “owes his life” to Scotland medic Dr James Robson.

Robson was recently named amongst the most influential British and Irish Lions of all time and is currently helping to guide Scottish rugby through the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cumbria-born doctor – a Dundee GP – who has been involved with the Scotland team for almost two decades and toured with the Lions six times, was awarded an MBE in 2018.

And Evans is in no doubt the significance of the role Robson has played in his own life.

The 35-year-old severely damaged his neck in a nightmare collision during the 31-24 Six Nations loss to Wales in 2010 and was later told if his dislocated spine had moved just a millimetre during treatment he could have died or been left paralysed.

Evans subsequently endured two operations to correct the damage but was forced to hang up his boots later that year.

The former Glasgow Warriors winger has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and is launching an acting career – but will forever be grateful to Robson.

He said: “He (Robson) means everything, he was instrumental in everything that happened that day.

“Without getting too sentimental about it, I really owe him my life. He’s such a hero.

“He puts players’ welfare before anyone and that’s why he’s been the Lions doctor, that’s why he’s been the Scotland doctor for so long.

“He’s like a father figure to a lot of people, and he deserves all the accolades he gets and all the respect he gets.

“For me, he’s one in a million and had he not handled me with the care he did that day, and been on there as fast as he was, I’m almost certain I wouldn’t have had the outcome I luckily had.”

Evans said: “I should be in contact more but he knows how grateful I am.”

Thom Evans suffered a severe injury in 2010.