Wales still on Evans' radar amid Quins ambitions

Jarrod Evans made his Wales debut against Scotland in October 2018

Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans started his first season with his English club thinking he was ineligible to play for Wales.

Evans, 28, begins his second campaign at the Stoop now under the impression he can play for Warren Gatland's national side after all.

Such are the intricacies of Welsh rugby's 25-cap rule, where you have had to play that number of international matches to continue to represent the nation if you move to a club outside Wales, Evans' situation was shrouded in mystery.

Evans, who signed a deal with Harlequins in 2023 after leaving Cardiff, has eight caps for Wales.

This means that when the news was first announced he would be moving across the border, it was assumed he would be ineligible to represent his country.

There is a clause in the Professional Rugby Board's law on the 25-cap ruling, which states a player can remain eligible for Wales if he is not offered a contract by a region or is "low-balled" with a new contract offer.

Asked whether he thinks he is eligible for Wales, Evans responded: "Yes. Speak to Warren [Gatland], but I think I am.

"I came up here with the intention of not playing [for Wales], so it didn't affect me that much.

"But it was always that question in the background about what's going on. As far as I know, I'm eligible. I just try control what I can control here.

"Whatever happens with national things is probably just a by-product of how you're playing here. As long as I can get a few more minutes here next season, and I'm enjoying my rugby, everything else will take care of itself."

Settling into Harlequins life

Evans has not featured for Wales since 2021 and is out of favour alongside the likes of Callum Sheedy with Ben Thomas, Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd used last season at fly-half by Gatland.

Evans played a bit-part role in his first season at Harlequins because of injury although he featured in 17 games. He is also second-choice at the Stoop behind England fly-half Marcus Smith.

"It's gone all right, although it was a little bit disjointed in terms of my minutes," said Evans.

"Last year, I picked up a few niggles. On the whole, I've enjoyed it. I've got better. I've been out of my comfort zone. I can't complain. I am just looking forward to getting started this season."

Evans is still adapting to life away from Cardiff.

"I wouldn't want to be one of them people who look back on my career and say 'I wonder what that would have been like'," said Evans.

"The circumstances forced me in a direction, I suppose, where I had to [leave].

"But come the end of my career, being out of my comfort zone and even having to live away from home, will make me grow and, down the line, make me better as a person and player."

Evans has been reunited with Harlequins head coach and his former Arms Park boss Danny Wilson, and is relishing working with backs coach Nick Evans.

"When you've been at a club for so long, playing the same way and hearing the same voices, it's just refreshing to hear someone else's opinion on how the game is played," said Evans.

"I know Danny from Cardiff, but Nick Evans brought great variety in terms of how he sees the game. He picks up a lot of stuff from New Zealand with his link there.

"I've learned quite a lot of intricacies, but the principles stay the same."

Working together

Harlequins have two international fly-halves in Marcus Smith and Jarrod Evans

Evans is also enjoying working with England fly-half Smith.

"We're bouncing ideas off each other and hopefully making this club do well," said Evans.

"It's been good. I didn't know what to expect coming here, but we get on well on and off the field.

"I've enjoyed working with him. Hopefully we can both make each other better."

Evans will also have the benefit of working with new Harlequins signing Leigh Halfpenny with the former Wales full-back continuing his career at 35.

"He's quite a quiet bloke for someone who has achieved everything," said Evans.

"He's so quiet and humble. But when you get him on the field, he dials in. I've enjoyed having him around.

"He's done it all and every part of what he does is so diligent."

Quins kick off the 2024-25 season on Sunday, 22 September at Sale.