"“It’s going to be really hard to let go of this club. And vice versa.” During his playing days the skilful, popular Evans personified everything good about the way Quins approached the game. As a coach, he has been similarly positive, endlessly seeking fresh ways to crack opposition defences. Quins may have endured a disappointing season, but that should not tarnish the sizeable contribution that Evans, now 45, has made during his residency at the Stoop."
"“I’d definitely put them up there as a team who can go and cause some trouble,” stresses Evans. “There are five teams at the top of the world at the moment who, on their day, can all beat each other and go on and win the World Cup. I’d definitely have England in that group. You’ve got so many quality players. Most of the games in the Prem are fantastic and there’s some unbelievable young English talent coming through.”"
"“Not every overseas recruit becomes part of the fabric of a team thousands of miles from home but that has long been the case with Nick Evans, a Prem winner with Quins as a player and a coach in 2012 and 2021 respectively.” As the former All Blacks fly-half conceded this week, his relationship with the club has been sustained across roles, with his coaching continuing the same positive, attacking mindset he showed as a player."
"“So, before Saturday's clash with Exeter across the road at Allianz Stadium, what has he learned about us?” Not the press corps necessarily among other things he has been an extremely astute columnist for the Guardian but English rugby more generally. He has some fascinating and forthright views, not least regarding the national team's prospects at next year's World Cup."
Nick Evans is preparing to leave Harlequins after an 18-year residency as a player and later as a coach. He describes the club as hard to let go of and credits its approach to the game with shaping his contributions. As a coach, he has focused on finding new ways to break opposition defenses. Despite a disappointing season, his impact at the Stoop remains significant. Evans also shares views on English rugby more broadly, praising the quality of players and the strength of the Premier League. He expects England to be among the top teams capable of beating each other and winning the World Cup, citing emerging young talent and competitive matches.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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