Wakefield sign dual-code Welsh winger Kyle Evans after successful trial

Drew Darbyshire
Kyle Evans PA

Sean Robinson of Newcastle Falcons is tackled by Kyle Evans of Doncaster Knights during the RFU Championship Cup match in 2019

Wakefield have signed dual-code winger Kyle Evans on a deal until the end of the season following a successful trial period.

The 30-year-old spent three seasons in the Welsh Premiership with Llanelli, scoring 27 tries in 57 appearances. He also played for regional side Scarlets, as well as Merthyr and Doncaster Knights.

After finishing the Championship rugby union season with Doncaster, Evans has scored tries for Wakefield reserves against Hull and Warrington.

Evans said: “This opportunity is massive to me. I’ve sacrificed quite a lot in rugby for so little and this is an absolutely massive opportunity for me.

“When at Doncaster Knights I met Franny who got me a trial at Leeds. Unfortunately, Covid cut that short and that opportunity went out of the window.

“To be here now is a real honour for me and I’m over the moon.”

Wakefield boss eager to see what Kyle Evans can do in rugby league

Evans was drafted into John Kear’s 21-man Wales squad to face France mid-season, but didn’t make the matchday squad. He will be hoping to make his way into the Wales World Cup squad at the end of the year.

Wakefield coach Willie Poching said: “Kyle came in on the advice of our assistant coach Franny Cummins who worked with him at Doncaster RU on the recommendation that, whilst Kyle was a rugby union player, for all intense and purposes, he was a rugby league player who had never played the game.

“He has been to Hull FC and had a trial there and at Leeds just before Covid. The opportunity came to bring him in to have a look at. From the first day, we could see what Franny meant about him being a rugby league player, with the intent that he trains with and how he works at 100 miles per hour every day.

“He’s picked up every little tip that we’ve given him and taken his opportunity with both hands. We see a lot of growth in Kyle and an opportunity to fine-tune and bring out the rugby league player in him.

“Hopefully between now and the end of the season we can bring as much of that out as possible and help him progress. He’s a fantastic kid and a wonderful athlete, with the appetite to learn and get better.”

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