John Evans (rugby union, born 1911) explained

John Evans
Birth Name:John Raymond Evans
Birth Date:1911 9, df=y
Birth Place:Newport,[1] Wales
Death Place:Sedjenane, French Tunisia
Ru Position:Hooker
Ru Amateuryears:1929-1930
1930-1937
1935-1936
Ru Amateurclubs:Chiltern RFC,London Welsh RFC
Newport RFC
Barbarian F.C.
Ru Nationalteam:Wales[2]
Ru Nationalyears:1934
Ru Nationalcaps:1
Ru Nationalpoints:(0)
School:Newport High School

John Raymond Evans (12 September 1911 – 8 March 1943) was a Welsh international rugby union hooker who played club rugby for Newport. Evans joined Newport after showing promise as a Welsh Schools players, winning three caps while at Newport High School. Evans captained Newport on two occasions, once in 1935/36 season and again in 1936/37. In 1935 Evans captained Newport against the touring New Zealand team.

Evans made his one and only international appearance against England in the 1934 Home Nations Championship, and was given the captaincy. He was one of 13 new caps to play for Wales, with only Claude Davey and Dai Thomas with any past international experience. Wales came a poor second, losing 9-0. The selectors were severely criticized for their choice, not only because of the teams inexperience, but also because seven of the team played their rugby outside Wales. Evans was one of five players from the Welsh team that day that became one cap wonders.

Evans was killed in action while serving his country in North Africa during the Second World War.[3] Whilst serving in 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, Evans parachuted into French Tunisia in November 1942 and was fatally shot by a sniper while defending Sedjenane crossroads in March 1943.[4]

International matches played

Wales[5]

Bibliography

References

80 seasons at Amersham and Chiltern RFC

Notes and References

  1. http://www.blackandambers.co.uk/Personnel.aspx?pr=106525 Newport RFC player profiles
  2. http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=31701&includeref=dynamic WRU player profiles
  3. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2197517 CWGC entry
  4. Web site: John R Evans . paradata.org.uk . 12 February 2020.
  5. Smith (1980), pg 465.