Over the years there have been many giants of the game that have since moved from the war zone into the back room. Jim Evans represents one of those giants both physically and in presence.
Jim, you spent a large portion of your playing days at Harlequins, how did you get started in rugby and how did you end up at Quins?
I started my rugby at Thurrock RFC in Essex when i was just six years old. I played right through the age groups and eventually played 1xv rugby under the guidance of ex All Black Hooker Hika Reid. Hika was the head coach back at Thurrock but was also linked to Harlequins and helped coach the forwards with ZinZan Brooke. Hika took me along to play in a couple of 2nd team games and I was fortunate enough to get signed on a short-term contract at the age of 18. This was the start of my Harlequins career, which lasted 10 years.
You represented the England Saxons in 2007, never quite breaking through to the full England side, looking back on your playing career with coaches eyes, what do you think stopped you breaking through?
Probably the fact that I was built like a bean pole and struggled to ever gain enough weight to punch at the highest level. I was also unfortunate to have inherited two glass shoulders, which as a second row forward made life tricky! In my early 20’s I had three shoulder reconstructions, two on my right and one on my left. This had an impact on parts of my game, as I knew that I was always vulnerable in certain positions on the park. I learnt to manage what I had to the best of my abilities, which often meant ducking out of certain contact drills within training to keep my shoulders where they belong, within their socket!
With that in mind do you look back on your career with a sense of achievement or one of small regrets?
I look back over my time with a huge amount of pride for what I have achieved especially with the challenges I faced. I ended up with 174 appearances for the club in which I can be very proud of. I was as professional as I could have been with regards to looking after my body and doing as much rehab as possible. I guess it would have been nice to win a few more trophies in my playing days but it has been fantastic to still be involved with the club with the recent success we have had.
Knowing what you now know what sort of advice do you give the young players coming through the Academy system at Quins?
Keep their feet on the ground and work hard and listen. Young players will only develop to their full potential if they are prepared to listen and take onboard advice and feedback. Academy players at Quins have some fantastic role models and mentors to learn from within the 1xv squad including the current England captain.
You retired early due to injury, can you talk us through the injuries you had and what happened that eventually lead to your retirement from the game?
As previously mentioned I struggled a lot in my early days with shoulder injuries. This eventually led to Osteoarthritis in the left shoulder. Unfortunately I got to the stage where I could no longer carry on, as the pain was too severe and this hugely affected my sleep etc.
Once in retirement you moved fairly quickly into coaching, Was that always part of the plan? Or was there something else that drove you that way?
I was always keen on coaching and completed my level 2 whilst still playing. I guess I was in the right place at the right time re being appointed for the academy role. Initially stayed on at the club helping the S&C guys within the gym but was soon asked to take some of the work load from Tony Diprose who was heavily involved in the academy as well as the 1xv defence coach. With myself coming on board this allowed Dips to concentrate more on the 1xv defence whilst still overseeing the academy side of things.
How difficult have you found the transition from player to coach?
The initial transition was easy enough as I had the respect of the academy players who knew that I had just finished playing for the club etc but as time goes on I am now judged purely on who I am as a coach. I have completed my level 3 and improved my coaching skills hugely and with the coaches we have at Harlequins I am very fortunate to learn from them and take things away and put into practice within the academy.
You now play a key role at Quins within the Academy, how would you define your key roles and responsibilities?
My role is about finding and developing future potential Harlequins players. We are very lucky to have a very good network of schools and clubs within our catchment counties of Surrey and Sussex who feed into us with any outstanding players that they have.
Connor O’Shea has been held in high regards prior to his arrival at Quins, what impact has he made on the players and the club?
Connor has made a huge impact on the club since his arrival. The highlight must be winning the premiership under his leadership. He is a hugely positive person and this rubs of on the group.
Thank you once again for doing this Jim, it is greatly appreciated.
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