Wales' Lee Byrne saddened by end of Thom Evans' Scotland career

WALES rugby internationalist Lee Byrne says he is saddened that his Scotland counterpart Thom Evans has been forced to give up the game following their collision in a Six Nations Championship match earlier this year.

Evans suffered a horrendous neck injury when he crashed into the Wales full-back during the Wales v Scotland match seven months ago, and continues to recover from the incident which required emergency surgery.

Doctors advised Evans against making a return to the game, and although his retirement has not been announced officially, the 25-year-old is not expected to play again.

"It was obviously really sad and disappointing when I heard the news that Thom has had to retire from the game," said Byrne. "I wouldn't wish that on any player at all.

"I managed to get his number through his brother max and, after a couple of texts, I rang him up to have a chat. I didn't want there to be any bad feeling between us. It was a pure accident.

"But it does unfortunately show that injuries like that can happen in this sport."

Nikki Walker, the Scotland winger who plays for Welsh side Ospreys, said: "He's a great lad and the squad have been pretty emotional about the situation.

"He will be a massive loss to Scotland. Thom had a big international career ahead of him and he will be missed by the lads."