Canada's Matt Evans is highly-rated by respected coach Allan Lewis

Canada rookie Matt Evans says he will have no divided loyalties should he play against Wales, the land of his mother, in Cardiff on Friday.

Evans spent his childhood in Narberth and his past visits to the Millennium Stadium were to cheer on Wales.

But the Canadian-qualified fly-half told BBC Sport: "To play for Canada in Wales in Cardiff is a dream come true.

"I've watched games at the Millennium Stadium supporting Wales but on Friday I'll have to back Canada."

Salisbury-born Evans, who qualifies for Wales, Canada and England, made his senior Canadian debut in their 55-0 defeat by Ireland in Limerick last Saturday.

Evans retains his place among the Canadian replacements against Wales in Cardiff on Friday as the tourists make just two changes from their Ireland thrashing.

Vancouver's Tyler Hotson replaces Mike Burak at lock, while Jebb Sinclair of Castaway Wanderers wins his first cap at blindside flanker as Seran-Michael Stephen is dropped to the bench.

Two of Canada's starting XV have played in Wales with Cornish Pirates scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, formerly of Cardiff Blues, and ex-Bridgend and Llanelli prop Jon Thiel, set to play.

Evans swapped West Wales for Canada and Vancouver Island nine years ago and qualifies for the Canucks on residency grounds.

If Matt continues in this vein he will have a very deserved bright future ahead of him Former Wales assistant coach Allan Lewis

But much of the 20-year-old's family remain in Narberth and the Hartpury College academy student admits they will have divided loyalties.

"It may have been one of the nastiest days to play rugby [against Ireland on Saturday]," said Evans.

"And we were comprehensively beaten but being my debut, it was a special occasion and honour for me.

"I have a lot of family living here in Wales so to play one of my first games in front of them will be pretty cool.

"When I was young I had ambitions to play for Wales, like any kid.

"But when I moved to Canada that changed a bit and I wanted to represent Canada.

"I've accomplished that goal and I'm proud to play for Canada but I want to continue, win loads of caps and be successful.

"Playing Wales is another exciting opportunity for me to play in a famous rugby ground where I did so much of my rugby education.

"To play international rugby for anyone is an honour and I'll be doubly proud to come back and play in Wales for Canada.

"My family will be there giving me every support but I'm sure a little bit of their hearts will be with Wales - that's to be expected."

Evans returns to Wales just a few months after representing the Canadian Under-20 team at the IRB Junior World Championships.

Coach Kieran Crowley, the former New Zealand full-back and All Black selector, picked untested Evans for his autumn tour.

And Evans admitted: "The call actually took me by surprise.

"But luckily Kieran has decided to try and bring a younger squad through and I'm thankful because I'm really enjoying the experience."

Evans' Welsh rugby links run deeper than simply being brought up in Wales as his mentor is former Wales assistant coach Allan Lewis.

Welshman Lewis is Hartpury academy's director of rugby and Evans was instrumental in his team's college's British University Championship win.

He also scored twice in their EDF Energy Senior Vase victory at Twickenham in May.

"Matt is a very hard-working and dedicated young player," said Lewis, the former Llanelli, Newport and Celtic Warriors coach.

"Matt shows a commitment and an enthusiasm to learn both on the rugby pitch and in his academic studies.

"If Matt continues in this vein he will have a very deserved bright future ahead of him."

Canada team to face Wales on 14 November:
Pritchard; Hearn; Keys, Smith; Mensah-Coker; Monro, Fairhurst; Tkachuk, Riordan (capt), Thiel, Hotson, Jackson, Sinclair, Carpenter, Kleeberger. Replacements: Pletch, Walsh, Burak, Stephen, Williams, Evans, Van Camp.

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