The match is a warm-up for both sides as they begin preparations for next month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup being staged in France.
Evans becomes the first back in the current Welsh squad to reach the half century mark and follows prop Catrin Edwards and flanker Catrina Nicholas as the most recent additions to the landmark.
Nicholas and Edwards reached their milestone during the Six Nations campaign which leaves Jenny Davies, who plays her club rugby alongside Evans at Waterloo, as the most capped player in the squad with 65 caps.
Since making her debut against Ireland in 2004, fewer players have made bigger sacrifices to represent their country. Evans lives and works in Dolgellau and faces up to six hours in the car for every return trip to and from training sessions and matches.
She will get out of bed at 5am tomorrow to drive to Wales’ base in the Vale of Glamorgan to meet up with the rest of the squad before they travel onwards to Cross Keys for the game.
And despite being one of the first names inked in on Edwards’ team sheet, Evans still takes nothing for granted, even after 49 games for Wales. She is at home either at centre or on the wing and has also played full back for her country.
“The fact the warm-up game for the Women’s World Cup against USA is capped puts an added edge to the game but I would like to think I go out and give my best every time I put the shirt on – capped game or not.
“It’s extra special to play in a shirt with three feathers on it. Every game is important but I’m sure once we begin singing the anthem emotions will run high,” said the 28-year-old.
Standing at just 5ft 3in and tipping the scales at 68kgs, she isn’t the biggest player at international level but she is never afraid to put her body on the line for her country.
Evans is looking forward to the challenge against USA and is expecting a tough afternoon at the coalface.
“USA are a very good side at both 15s and Sevens. But we’ve got an exciting backline. If we go out with the right mind set of giving it a go at every available opportunity, I don’t see why we can’t come away with a win,” she said.
And while most players reaching the 50-mark would be shouting it from the roof tops, Evans is of a different ilk and playing it low key. When asked what it will mean to reach the magical 50 mark, she replies: “Everyone keeps asking me that.
“Yes, reaching 50 will be a special moment but I just want to make sure I have that 13 jersey for the World Cup.”
That one reply sums up the tenacious and unflinching spirit coursing through the veins of Elen Evans. Wish her well on her big day.
Wales squad to play USA, Cross Keys RFC, Saturday 28 June, KO 1.30pm:
15 Laurie Harries (Llandaff North)
14 Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic)
13 Elen Evans (Waterloo)
12 Rebecca de Filippo (Bristol Ladies)
11 Dyddgu Hywel (Bristol Ladies)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Ladies)
9 Sian Moore (Bristol Ladies)
8 Sioned Harries (Llandaff North)
7 Nia Davies (Bristol Ladies)
6 Catrina Nicholas (Llandaff North)
5 Rachel Taylor (Capt – Bristol Ladies)
4 Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North)
3 Catrin Edwards (Bristol Ladies)
2 Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic)
1 Caryl Thomas (Bath ladies)
Replacements:
16 Carys Phillips (Bristol Ladies)
17 Megan York (Blaenau Gwent)
18 Cerys Hale (Pontyclun)
19 Shona Powell Hughes (Neath Athletic)
20 Sian Williams (Worcester)
21 Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North)
22 Rafiuke Taylor (Pontyclun)
23 Philippa Tuttiett (Bristol Ladies)
