It was just a few months ago when Brisbane native Tess Evans packed in her job, packed her bags and headed to the UK in pursuit of becoming a better rugby player.
It was a big step for the captain of the University of Queensland women’s side, but things could not really have gone much better for the 24-year-old.
Evans settled in Gloucestershire, just a stone’s throw away from her Welsh family in Monmouth, and has been plying her trade for Cheltenham Tigers Women, who currently top the North 1 Championship.
“It was just a really cool opportunity to come over here,” Evans said, “they’ve been super accommodating.”
“Since being here it’s like opportunities left, right and centre.”
One of those came after Evans played for Tigers against a Welsh Development XV last December.
She received a call from Gwalia Lightning coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin to play in the cross-border Celtic Challenge competition.
Evans found herself in good company in Gwalia’s back row, with Auckland-born Kate Williams also playing for the Welsh franchise.
More standout performances saw Evans earn a call-up to Wales’ extended training squad for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations, where she hopes to follow in Williams’ footsteps and become a fully-fledged Wales international.
“It wasn’t something that I was expecting,” Evans told BBC Sport Wales.
“In that Wales Development game my focus was to have a good game of rugby, play how I play and what opportunities came from that wasn’t up to me.
“I was just ecstatic that I got a call.”
She will find out if she makes the cut when Ioan Cunningham announces his final Wales squad early next month.
Evans was unfortunate to suffer a ruptured Achilles last year, and not wanting to waste time in Australia’s off-season, she jumped at the opportunity to play abroad.
“It’s quality rugby and quality coaching, I’m learning so much,” she said.
“The experience has been so great being part of the professional environment, for me I’m just looking to get better.”
Evans’ grandfather was born in Monmouth and she admits the chance to visit her family who still live there was another big draw.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with them since being here. They’re so passionate about being Welsh and passionate about rugby union,” a sport she admits is not particularly high on the Australian sporting ladder.
And when it comes to loyalties, Evans said she would be just as happy representing either country.
“I’ve been asked a few times ‘why wouldn’t you want to go and play for Australia’ and for me it’s not about that. I’d happily put on a Welsh jersey and represent my family,” she said.
“Either or, I just want an opportunity to play good level rugby and to get better as a player.
“I think as long as you’re wearing a jersey with pride, that’s all that matters.”
It remains to be seen if that is the red of Wales or the gold of the Wallaroos.
