Ospreys lock Ian Evans admits disappointment at Wales snub

Ian Evans

Ospreys lock Ian Evans admits he was disappointed not to be picked for Wales during the summer tour of Australia.

Evans, 27, missed the first Test as he was getting married but postponed his honeymoon in the hope of making it into stand-in coach Rob Howley's team.

"It was a little bit disappointing, because I want to play rugby," said Evans, who has 23 caps for Wales.

"But as a player all I can do is make myself available for selection, after that it's out of my hands really."

After a promising start, Evans' career was hit by serious knee and shoulder injuries that slowed his progress.

But he fought back to fitness and form ahead of the Six Nations in which he played an impressive part in Wales' Grand Slam.

Evans and fellow Osprey Alun Wyn Jones are now battling it out with Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris to fill Wales' second row.

And it is a challenge the South African-born player is looking forward to.

"It's a fresh start, a new season," added Evans, whose wedding-enforced-absence from Wales' first Test boosted his rivals' Test claims.

"I knew very well once you give up that opportunity of the jersey somebody else is willing to take it," he said.

"That's just the way it goes in life.

"I've just got to wait for my next opportunity."

Evans knows consistent performances for the Ospreys will strengthen his chances with Wales.

And the 27-year-old is focused on defending his club's Pro12 title this season, as well as reaching the latter stages of the Heineken Cup.

"No team's really defended the league in any shape or form," he said.

"It would be nice to be the first team do that, that would be a great achievement for a young regional team like we've got now.

"Moving onto the Heineken Cup, it's a pretty hard tournament to progress in.

"Leicester have won it numerous times and even they're finding it hard to get out of the group stages.

"If we win our home games and pick something up from the away games, that's going to put us in a good position."