Ian Evans (rugby union)

Ian Evans
Birth nameIan Richard Evans
Date of birth (1984-10-04) 4 October 1984 (age 40)
Place of birthJohannesburg, South Africa
Height6 ft 8 in (2.04 m)[1]
Weight18 st 6 lb (117 kg)
SchoolBlaengwawr Comprehensive School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Abercwmboi RFC ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2014 Ospreys 129 (15)
2014–2017 Bristol 29 (0)
Correct as of 18 January 2015
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2016 Wales 33 (5)
2013 British & Irish Lions 0 (0)

Ian Evans (born 4 October 1984) is a former Wales international rugby union player [2] He was part of the coaching staff of the Dragons RFC, joining in 2018, until his departure in January 2020.[3]

Evans was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was brought up in Aberdare, and began playing his rugby at Abercwmboi RFC and then moved to Pontypridd RFC once he was eligible for senior rugby. He quickly made his mark upon Wales' Age-Grade selectors with a succession of athletic and promising performances for the Valleys' team. Joining up with Swansea RFC in 2004, he progressed through the internal system to play for the Ospreys in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup, and has played for the national team. His usual position was at lock. He was the tallest member of the national team at 2.03 meters, but has since been demoted to 2nd tallest with the inclusion of Luke Charteris.

He represented Wales at both under-19 and under-21 levels. Evans made his Celtic League debut against Munster as a replacement in September 2005. He also made his Heineken Cup debut against Leicester. He made his debut for Wales in June 2004, playing in two Tests against Argentina, scoring a try in the first game. Evans then went on to start 3 of Wales' 4 matches in the 2006 Autumn internationals including the match against New Zealand. He was due to make his comeback from long-term injury versus the Pumas in a World Cup warm-up game in Cardiff but suffered a further setback, damaging his collar bone.

After an impressive 2013 Six Nations Championship, where Evans played an important role in Wales' second successive title, he was selected for the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. However he would not feature in any of the Lions test matches. Evans missed the 2014 Six Nations Championship through suspension after the lock stamped on Leinster's Mike McCarthy in a Heineken cup game.[4]

On 27 November 2013, Evans initially signed a three-year contract to join top French team Toulon in the Top 14.[5] However, the deal fell through and instead he signed for English club Bristol Rugby, despite Bristol competing in the RFU Championship.[6] Ian was appointed Treorchy RFC first team coach along with Andrew Bishop for the 2016/2017 season and also for 2017/2018 season.[7]

In 2017, Evans retired due to an injury and upon medical advice from his Doctor.[8] Evans recently coached his home club Abercwmboi RFC.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "History - the History of the British & Irish Lions".
  2. ^ "Ian Richard Evans". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Dragon News : Ian Evans leaves Dragons". Dragons RFC. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  4. ^ Clutton, Graham (2014). "Six Nations 2014: Ospreys lock Ian Evans' 12-week ban for stamping a huge blow to Wales' Championship hopes". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Wales and Lions lock Ian Evans to join Toulon". BBC Sport. 27 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Bristol sign Wales and Lions lock Ian Evans from Ospreys". BBC Sport. 23 June 2014.
  7. ^ Parfitt, Delme (14 August 2016). "Former Wales stars take charge of Treorchy RFC - and they won't be paid a penny". WalesOnline. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  8. ^ Thomas, Simon (27 April 2017). "Wales star announces shock retirement as injury ends career". WalesOnline. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
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