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Red-hot Evans tipped for Wales call

Red-hot Evans tipped for Wales call

Red-hot Scarlets winger Steff Evans has been tipped for a Wales call-up by his regional team-mate Johnny McNicholl.

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Evans was last season’s top try-scorer in the Guinness PRO12 with 11 touchdowns as the Scarlets sealed a thrilling title success. 

He went on to win his first two senior Welsh caps last summer against Tonga and Samoa, scoring twice in the second of those matches.

With the 23-year-old having started the season in blistering form, former Canterbury Crusaders winger McNicholl has urged Wales boss Warren Gatland to start the youngster against Australia on November 11.

“I would put Steff as the number one winger in Wales right now, me and Leigh (Halfpenny) are just feeding off him,” said McNicholl.

“I would put him straight into the (Wales) side and the other outside backs can fit around him. He is the man in form. I don’t coach the team, but I don’t think it is a risk to put him in.”

There’s no doubt Kiwi McNicholl knows what he’s talking about having played alongside the likes of Nemani Nadolo and current All Black back three stars David Havili and Israel Dagg while playing in New Zealand.

Having arrived in Llanelli from Super Rugby, the 26-year-old sees many similarities between the Scarlets and the Crusaders.

“The Scarlets play the same way as the Crusaders were when I left and from what I saw of Super Rugby this season, they are still playing the same way,” McNicholl said. 

“It has been nice to come in and for it to be pretty seamless and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t want to play for a team who just kick the pill away.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t want to leave. Everyone here is excited to get their hands on the ball.”

Evans and McNicholl have been at the heart of the Scarlets’ impressive early season form, with the Kiwi eager for last season’s PRO12 champions to transfer their domestic form into their European campaign. 

Wayne Pivac’s side begin their Champions Cup bid at French giants Toulon this Sunday.

“I only played one European match last season, the home draw with Saracens, but you can feel it is definitely a step up, a bit more intense during the week,” McNicholl said.

“Toulon are a big-name team with some big-name players, but it will be good to show what we are about in Europe after showing people what we could do in the PRO12 last season.”

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