My body is telling me to quit, saysEvans

WALES are about to be hit by another loss despite spending the final weekend of the autumn series all washed up with nobody to play.

- PETER JACKSON

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.