Scotland star Evans speaks out about injury

Thom Evans insists he will return to playing next season, as he steps up his recovery from the injury which could have killed him.

Scotland wing Evans suffered severe neck damage during February's RBS 6 Nations game in Wales, requiring two operations.

Older brother and team-mate Max revealed the 25-year-old was "a millimetre" from death or paralysis following a sickening collision with full-back Lee Byrne at the Millennium Stadium.

The injury cast serious doubt on Evans' career and fellow Glasgow star Max expressed his preference that his brother hang up his boots.

But the younger Evans told the Daily Mail: "It is not a question of if I will return to rugby, more a question of when.

"I have been running regularly and feel good. Although I am not up to gym work just now, that will come.

"After that, there will be physical contact training and then more work to get me ready. Others will be relaxing during the pre-season, but I will keep working to get myself right. I don't want to put pressure on myself by setting a date, but I will be back.

"I don't expect it will be at the start of the season but I'm hopeful I will be ready to help Glasgow sometime during the campaign.

"I am not even thinking about getting back into the Scotland team, as I just want to make sure I can get myself fit enough to play competitive rugby again."

Evans also paid tribute to Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen and assistants Shade Munro and Gary Mercer, adding: "I haven't really spoken to them yet about my plans to start playing again as they are busy in the Magners League run-in."