Former Scotland winger Thom Evans has revealed he will choose between acting and athletics as a new career after retiring from rugby through injury.

Evans, 25, is mulling over his options after sustaining a serious neck injury during a Six Nations clash against Wales in February.

"I haven't made a decision yet, but I'm dabbling in acting workshops and the running," he told BBC Scotland.

"It's not a decision I can make overnight. It'll come with time."

Evans has booked a three-month acting course in New York, beginning in January, and is excited at the prospect of trying something completely different.

"I've had no real experience in terms of theatre work; I was in plays at school and really enjoyed it," he told BBC Scotland's Sports Weekly.

I found a school in New York called the Lee Strasberg Institute, which is highly regarded and where Marlon Brando and Al Pacino went Thom Evans

"I found a school in New York called the Lee Strasberg Institute, which is highly regarded and where Marlon Brando and Al Pacino went.

"Obviously, it's great for someone like myself who's had no experience to go there and learn the craft.

"I did the interview and managed to be accepted; so that starts in January. I need to make my mind up before I go because I don't want to do it and not give 100%.

"We'll see what happens."

Evans is no stranger to the stage lights, having been a member of boy band Twen2y4se7en in his teens and supporting the likes of Westlife, McFly and Peter Andre.

He is also a cousin of BBC presenter Chris Evans.

Zimbabwe-born Evans suffered a slipped neck vertebra in Cardiff and, despite two operations, was forced to give up the sport.

"I was in an awkward collision with three Welsh players and I knew when I hit the deck that something wasn't right," he said.

"It was a feeling I'd never experienced before and I was almost paralysed for a couple of minutes.

"Next thing I knew, James Robson, who's been instrumental in looking after me, attended to me and told me to stay in the right position."

Evans conceded that he feared the worst at one stage that he could be paralysed but stressed that the help and care he received helped him through the difficult times.

"I'm so fortunate to be in the position I'm in now," he added. "It could've been a lot worse.

"But I've moved on and I'm happy and smiling now, and looking forward to the future."

Evans has full movement in his neck and said he feels like he did before the accident at the Millennium Stadium.

"Being able to run as fast as I did before, and probably even faster after doing the athletics training, I love training and staying fit," he said.

And a career in sprinting is also a possibility for the former Glasgow Warriors star.

"If I want to give athletics a go then I'll have to give it a go now," he added. "I'm 25 and I can't really come back to it in the future, so it's a big decision.

"I'll weigh them both up and come to a decision soon."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version