World Cup representative departs Championship club for Australia return
Photo: Tim Goode/PA Wire/PA Images
Wales international Will Evans has been granted a release from his contract with Championship Widnes on compassionate grounds.
The 21-year-old only linked up with the Vikings in the off-season after an impressive season in the Championship with Whitehaven in 2022.
Evans, who represented his Welsh heritage at last year’s World Cup, will return home to Australia in the next week after playing just one pre-season match for Widnes.
A club statement from Widnes read: “Although it is disappointing to lose Will after only featuring in one pre-season fixture, we respect his decision to return home to be with his family.
“Everyone at the club wishes Will well and thank him for his short spell in Vikings colours.
“The club is actively seeking additions to the squad, which has started the season with three wins from four.”
Will Evans on his Welsh pride
Evans may have an Australian accent, but he represented Wales with pure pride and passion at last year’s World Cup.
He was born and raised in Australia but qualifies to play for Wales through his father’s side of the family, who hail from Swansea.
Evans made his international debut for Wales against France in mid-season, and was part of their World Cup squad.
“My father was born and raised in Wales,” Evans told Love Rugby League back in October. “I consider myself to be Welsh because I grew up on it and I’m really close with my Welsh family over here which is really cool.
“They are originally from Swansea but they are in Milford Haven now. Some of them came over from Wales for the game and my mum, dad and brother came over from Australia too. I hadn’t seen them for almost a year having been playing footy over here. It was a really cool moment to be able to play for Wales in front of my dad.
“We are learning a lot about our heritage and family and what the Welsh badge means to everyone. It’s really interesting. We’ve got a good bunch of lads and I’m really enjoying it.”
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