Max Evans has spent the last two Scotland games watching his younger brother carve out a Test career – but the pair are set to trade places in Saturday’s final autumn international.
Evans was yesterday named in his country’s senior 22 for the first time after being selected on the bench against Canada at Pittodrie.
The 25-year-old watched from the stands as brother Thom, 23, starred against New Zealand and South Africa in the last week and a half.
But an injury picked up against the Springboks on Saturday has prompted head coach Frank Hadden to leave the wing out of the side for this weekend’s game.
Evans is looking forward to the shoe being on the other foot in Aberdeen.
“It’s been two trips for me to watch him,” he said. “It’s been great watching him but any rugby player you talk to doesn’t really enjoying watching a game you could be part of because you just want to be a part of it so badly.
“So it will be a bit of a role reversal for him coming to watch me this time.”
However, he looks forward to the day the Evans brothers become the latest siblings to line up for Scotland in the same Test.
“It’s a shame Thom’s not involved this weekend but I’m sure there’ll come a day when we’ll play together,” he said.
Evans’ selection caps a remarkable comeback just two years after returning to the game following a spell as a professional golfer.
He began his career in rugby but a back injury in 2004 appeared to have curtailed it.
But after two years outside the professional game, he decided to undergo the physiotherapy he needed to return.
The stocky centre has not looked back since and has enjoyed such a promising start to the current season that Hadden is ready to give him his big chance at Pittodrie.
“It would be excellent,” said the 25-year-old. “Whether I come on at 13 or have to slip onto the wing or wherever, I just can’t wait to get that chance.”
Evans has been in and around the senior squad before but it was his scintillating performance for Scotland A in Friday night’s demolition of Georgia that ultimately got him the nod.
His performance at his home ground of Firhill included a breathtaking solo try and Evans admits he has watched a video of the touchdown more than once.
“It looked easier than it felt when I actually scored it,” he said. “It didn’t look that hard to get to the tryline but it was quite difficult at the time.”
Hadden said: “Allowing for the opposition on Friday night, his solo try was right out the top drawer.
“Max is just such an exciting talent that, despite his in experience, he was just impossible to ignore.”
