Steff Evans is likely to be the beneficiary from George North’s latest injury which has ruled the Northampton wing out of Wales’ autumn series.
Scarlets wing Evans has been knocking on the international door for 12 months, but had to wait until the summer before winning his first caps against Tonga and Samoa whilst North was on Lions duty.
With North now due to be ruled out for the whole of November due to a knee problem, then 23-year-old Evans will be the favourite to take one of the wing spots for the Tests against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa, with Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny likely to fill the other back three positions.
Evans has begun the season in the same theme he ended the last, with three tries in seven matches. Last season, his finishing prowess made him the leading scorer in the Guinness Pro12 with 13 touchdowns, including one when it really mattered against Munster in the Grand Final.
The Llanelli-born flier believes he has benefited from the arrival of New Zealander Johnny McNicholl at Parc Y Scarlets, with whom he has formed a devastating wing partnership.
“The way Johnny is playing it is fresh to see,” says Evans. “He has brought a bit of Super Rugby into a Scarlets team that likes to play like a Super Rugby team.
“I enjoy running off him, he gets the ball away and he creates chances. Steve (Jones, backs coach) spoke to us before the season about working off your wings and you will get your reward, which is what me and Johnny have been doing.”
North sustained his injury in Northampton’s Champions Cup defeat by Saracens on Sunday.
The Lions wing – who struggled for form and fitness in New Zealand this summer – but has started the season impressively for the Saints – has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks, preventing him from featuring in the November fixtures which begin against the Wallabies at the Principality Stadium on November 11.
“George North suffered a sprain to his posterior cruciate ligament against Saracens which will require 6-8 weeks rehabilitation,’ a statement issued by Northampton said.
North was initially hurt during a tackle by Brad Barritt and after receiving treatment from Saints’ medical team he attempted to run the injury off.
However, the wing collapsed shortly after as he looked to hit his stride in order to join a backs move in the club’s record defeat at Franklin’s Gardens.
It was a cruel blow to a player whose running threat had helped Northampton make a strong start to the season until they spectacularly hit the buffers against the European champions.
The 25-year-old, who has 69 Wales caps, has seen his recent career blighted by a succession of concussions but after a disappointing Lions tour to New Zealand, he had returned to form.