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February 02, 2010

Scotland look for Warrior spirit

Posted by Editor on February 2, 2010 08:13 PM | 3 comments | Print | E-mail author

A knee injury kept Max on the sidelines for the Autumn internationals
Max and Thom Evans are hoping familiarity proves a huge asset when Scotland face France in Sunday's Six Nations opener.

The brothers are among nine Glasgow Warriors starting in this weekend's clash at Murrayfield.

With Glasgow topping the Magners League, they make up the bulk of Andy Robinson's starting XV.

Max said: "It helps when you're playing amongst guys that you're comfortable with and you're used to.

"Me and Graeme are playing with each other week in and week out and we're great mates off the pitch as well.

"It makes you feel a bit more at ease going into the game because it's a high-pressure game and there are big challenges ahead."

Thom added: "It's really good to see so many of the guys in the team this Sunday and hopefully we can take a lot of confidence from the last couple of games into this game.

"The guys are buzzing at the moment and really looking forward to it."

Sunday's match is a repeat of the first Test the brothers started together, last season's Six Nations defeat at the Stade de France.

Max said: "A lot has happened in between.

"And also the fact that we're at home, so I'm treating it completely separately and just really excited about it and really excited about playing with Thom for Scotland again."

Thom, 24, believes he and his elder brother have matured as Test players since they first lined up together.

"You get more confidence and this kind of environment helps a lot," he said.

"But we take each international game as it comes and give everything.

"So I think we'll be doing that again on Sunday."

Robinson recalled Max after the centre missed the autumn internationals with a knee injury.

"It was a great feeling just to get back playing again.

"I wasn't really thinking about looking ahead to Scotland and was just looking to play well for Glasgow.

"If you're playing well for your club, you put yourself up for selection.

"I'm really thrilled to get the nod and really excited to show Andy and Scotland what I'm capable of."

Robinson will expect that to include creating and scoring tries, with the head coach happy with his defence but not so enamoured with the attacking threat of his side during the autumn.

Thom said: "We've been working really hard with (backs coach) Gregor Townsend in training to exploit the French weaknesses.

"We know that if we attack them in the first 20 and put them under pressure, we'll put ourselves in a good position to win the game.

"It's all about executing those moves."

Comments
Posted by Hugues on February 3, 2010 07:05 AM | Reply to this comment

I support Scotland, so without any chauvinism, THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF "French weaknesses"

Posted by ballinj on February 3, 2010 10:13 AM | Reply to this comment

agreed and can't see what the rationale behind the team selection is, Paterson and Godman aren't good enough at club level kicking from hand, Dickinson while good in the loose is less than average in the scrum (our most potent weapon). So that leaves playing loose running rugby because after all that has always been the achilles heel of French rugby. And if the idea is to play running rugger then why pick Southwell and grove on the subs bench - surely Danielli and Jackson would of been more consistent options.

Suppose could get Euan to have a word with the man upstairs and remind him of the god hating nature of the french constitution

Honestly thought that after Hadden could not be this depressed after seeing a Scottish team sheet.

Posted by Alan on February 4, 2010 12:09 AM | Reply to this comment

Consolation might be that, with Max there, there is a possibility that someone will actually give the ball to Thom! Scared about Godman, but wish him well! Here's hoping..

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