Assault trial told Scots rugby star was ‘pushed into’ at bar

Scotland rugby player Max Evans had been “pushed into” and “probed” before allegedly hitting a man in the face with a glass, a court has heard.

The 28-year-old denies assaulting Alasdair McCaig, 29, at Lulu nightclub in George Street on August 1, 2010, and has entered a special defence, claiming he acted in self defence.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday Sarah Jane Bell said she had met Evans at the entrance to Lulu’s VIP area on the night of the alleged attack.

She said Mr McCaig and a female came up to the bar next to her and were “pushing into” and nudging her. She said: “Max and I swapped places. Ally [Mr McCaig] seemed to be trying to irritate Max. He was probing him and pushing into us.”

Ms Bell said she did not see what happened next until she noticed bouncers taking Evans away.

The court heard that Evans told police later: “I didn’t intentionally use the glass.”

The trial continues.