News

Lee Evans.

Lee is the current club captain and has the task of leading the first team in its opening year in Division 1 West, the highest level the club has ever played. He is Aberystwyth born and bred and, in addition to the pressures of captaincy, has the daunting challenge of following in the footsteps of his famous father, Raymond ‘Truck’ Evans’, as a back row player and as captain.

Lee is 24 years of age and is a formidable No 8 weighing in at 16st 2lbs (101kg) and is 6ft 1inch (1.85m) in height. In common with most of the current squad he learned his rugby by rising through the system of junior and youth teams at Aberystwyth RFC which he joined at the age of 10. He also played at Penweddig school. As you will see, Lee is a man of few words in an interview, preferring to do his talking through his rugby.

Lee, who were the main influences on your rugby?

My father mainly, also the various coaches at the club at junior/youth level and Clem Thomas at Penweddig.

Is rugby your favourite sport?

Yes.

What other sports do you play?

None.

How do you rate the current Aber side?

It’s the best XV I’ve ever played in. I’d give us 10/10!

 Which of the four Welsh regional teams do you support?

The Scarlets (A man of few words but he always chooses the right ones!!)

What is your work?

I’m a builder.

What do you like most about living in Aber?

The rugby club!

What do you dislike about living here?

The anti-hunting brigade. (Lee is a keen huntsman/shot)

What is your career and sporting ambition?

To play at the highest possible level with Aber.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

A professional rugby player.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life in general?

My father, both in my rugby and in getting on with my life.

Your father was one of the club’s legends as a player. Has this affected you in your approach to the game overall?

Yes. He’s given me something to aim at, something to beat, to be even better.

What has been your biggest achievement and proudest moment in rugby?

Winning Division 2 West with Aber last season.

And your biggest disappointment?

None.

What has been your biggest embarrassment on the field?

Thinking that I had scored a try when I dived over the five-yard line in a match last season.

What are your hobbies?

Hunting game with hounds in shoots. (Unlike his father who is alleged to have preferred more ‘unorthodox’ hunting methods!!)

Do you cook? What is your favourite meal?

No, I don’t cook. My favourite meal is steak!

Who in the current squad would make the best father Christmas?

Paul Stubbs! He’s half way there with his beard.

And who would make an ideal Rudolph the red nosed reindeer?

Ifan Thomas!

If the team put on the Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, who would make the best ugly sisters?

Gruff Jones (scrum half) and Dan Binks (wing forward). (Excellent choice!!!)

What is your favourite TV programme, film actor and band?

Scrum 5, Jason Statham and Coldplay.

What matters most to you in your life outside rugby?

The pack of foxhounds I keep at Penrhyncoch.

Who do you consider to be the best sportsperson ever?

Richie McCaw.

If you had one wish, what would it be?

To play in the Premiership with Aber.

If you could be the best-looking man in the world, which front-row forward would you choose to look like?

Anyone but James Plumbridge. (James, have a word with your captain please!!)

If you could possess one skill (apart from being a prop-forward) what would it be?

To be faster!

Do you think you will ever be a good enough player to be a front-row forward?

I wouldn’t want to play there. (this shows that Lee has no ambition and no ultimate target in his sporting life!!)

Finally, what do you think has been responsible for the first XV’s success so far this season?

Good coaches, a positive committee and good backroom staff – and a good team of course.