The west Wales region currently sit just a point behind the Irish province at the top of the table, with both sides picking up four wins from their opening four games. The Scarlets have already overcome Irish opposition in beating Ulster and Leinster on home turf, and Evans is keen to make it a hat-trick as Wayne Pivac’s men look to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.
“I think we will make a statement about our top-four ambitions if we can beat Munster,” said the Wales international. “I want us to be a top four team and I want people to respect us as well, in the way we respect other teams.
“We know what we can do, we need to bring it on Friday because this is a huge week for us. We need to carry on from our good start, we cannot let standards slip, we take it one challenge at a time and go from there.”
Evans, 23, was part of Warren Gatland’s pre-World Cup training squad, and took part in the punishing summer training camps in Switzerland and Qatar. While the loosehead from Haverfordwest, who won his first cap against Ireland in the Six Nations earlier this year, was disappointed not to make the final cut, he admits he feels in the best shape of his life and is keen to reap the benefits of his hard graft.
“I wouldn’t say I enjoyed those camps, because they were absolutely savage,” he said. “Every day out there was very, very hard. But I am feeling very fit. Once I got my match fitness during the first couple of games I have felt great, it was a worthwhile experience.
“I’ve been getting my hands on the ball and getting involved in the loose which I have enjoyed. We had a good game against Leinster and we need to do same again because Munster are a very difficult side to break down and they will really test us defensively.”
