Matt Evans & Bruce Cumming Interview

Mark Stevens talks with Matt Evans & Bruce Cumming 22/07/07

MATT Evans is determined to return to action with the Cornish Pirates firing on all cylinders after the misery of a broken leg sustained in the final league game of last season.

The South African No.8 had only been on the field at Coventry a matter of minutes when he sustained a broken fibula and ruptured ankle ligaments at the Butts Park Arena.

It was yet another bitter blow for the former Worcester forward who endured an equally horrific injury at Nottingham during the 2004/05 season.

However, the 25-year-old's recovery since April has gone well and now the all-action forward is looking to get back on the field as soon as possible.

"The injury is not too bad now, the recovery and rehab has all gone very well," said Evans yesterday. "I'm going to have a couple of pins taken out next week and then I'll be able to step up my training a bit more. Hopefully, if all goes well, I'm looking to get back around the middle of September."

Evans, though, insists he won't be rushing things too much. Instead he is focusing his attentions on getting himself fully-fit before looking to get himself back into Jim McKay's match-day 22.

"To pick up the injury in the last game of the season was gutting," admitted the Benoni-born forward. "But I went home in the summer and saw a few guys over there and now I've come back and I've been working with the physios at the club here.

"My leg is getting stronger all the time, but when you injure your ligaments it always takes a bit longer. It's disappointing that I can't do pre-season fully with the boys at the moment, but I'll keep working hard myself and hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back playing again."

Matt Evans

With a clutch of new arrivals at the Pirates over the summer, Evans admits this season will be a "big one" for the club as they look to lock horns with the likes of Northampton, Plymouth Albion, Exeter Chiefs and Rotherham.

"It's definitely going to be a big season," he added. "You only have to look at the guys we've signed to see our ambition to do well. The other clubs have also added to their squad, so it's going to be tough for sure."

Among the newcomers is fellow South African Bruce Cumming, who has joined the Pirates from French outfit Massy.

The towering second-row forward admits he cannot wait to get his first taste of English rugby, his 1st game being the friendly with Guinness Premiership champions Leicester Tigers on Saturday August 4 (4pm) at Camborne.

"I'm really looking forward to the season," declared Cumming. "I can't wait to get stuck in. The English game is a lot more physical than it is in France and it's a lot more forward orientated.

Already we've been working hard on things for the season, but I think the real test will be when we get out onto the pitch."

Standing at 6'4 and weighing in at 18 stone, Cumming is sure to bring a real presence to the Pirates pack. "I'm sure I can bring things to the side. I like to mix my game up and get involved as much as I can," he said. "Also it's good that I don't have the language barrier anymore.

In France it was difficult to communicate with your team-mates at times. Perhaps if I had stayed longer it would have been easier, but now I'm here and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Bruce Cumming