Wales star rejoices in newfound freedom after a bizarre year full of questions and confusion

They say young men know the rules, but old men know the exceptions.

This is probably true everywhere, but perhaps nowhere more so than in Welsh rugby.

Jarrod Evans spent much of last year in his first season away from Cardiff, still living in the shadow of one of Welsh rugby's most controversial rules.

With the 25-cap rule not yet enforced, the link-up was thought to be off limits for Wales after he left the Arms Park to join Harlequins. He played his last of eight caps in 2021, but shortly after leaving Wales it was said there was a loophole in the law that kept Evans in the Test match if Warren Gatland wanted him.

Unable to be offered a competitive contract due to a contract ban in Wales, it was clear that Evans was exempt from the 25-cap rule. The link-up, for his part, spent most of last season in obscurity, unsure whether he was definitely eligible to play.

Young men know the rules, but old men know the exceptions.

Worse still, there was confusion in the Welsh rugby rumour mill about other players in a similar, if not identical, situation. There were suggestions that Evans, who was offered a contract below market value, was captured, while other players who had not even received an offer were considered.

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As is often the case in Welsh rugby, it was a bit of a mess. You can read more about this absurd situation here. Eventually, the Welsh Rugby Association clarified the situation – which means that Evans theoretically no longer has to answer any more questions on the matter.

Although even now there is still a slight hint of doubt in his voice.

“Yes,” said the 28-year-old when asked if he would be considered for the Welsh national team. “I've spoken to Warren, but I think that's me.”

“To be honest, I don't really know how to describe it. It just sums it up.

“I came here with the intention of not playing (for Wales), so it didn't affect me that much. But in the background there was always this question of what was going on.

“As far as I know, I'm justified. I'm just trying to control what I can control here. Whatever happens with national things is probably just a byproduct of how you play here.

“As long as I can play a few more minutes here next season and enjoy my rugby, everything else will fall into place.”

In his second season in London, Evans will mainly have more playing time. According to Evans, last year was “a bit uncoordinated” as the former Cardiff playmaker had a few aches and pains.

Despite the impact of injuries on his first season away from Wales, Evans has enjoyed getting out of his comfort zone – working with moody England link-up Marcus Smith and Quins attack coach and former All Black Nick Evans.

“I think when you've been at a club for so long, always playing the same way and always hearing the same voices, it's just refreshing to hear someone else's opinion on the game,” said Evans. “I know Danny (Wilson, Harlequins head coach) from Cardiff but Nick Evans has brought a lot of variety to his view of the game.

“Through his connection there, he learns a lot of things from New Zealand. I've learned quite a few nuances. The principles remain the same.”

“It's interesting, but we are encouraged to overrule a call or a decision. If you see something, support it, and there will be no negative reactions to a wrong decision.

“He gives you the freedom and the confidence to play freely, to look at the pictures and go for it. That's huge for the 10s because how often do you see 9s and 10s retreat into their shells and be a bit more pragmatic? That's not to say we're overdoing it, but he was quite refreshing in that way.”

“From my experience in Wales, it can get quite rigid. It's all about seeing the opportunity. Even the feedback from training is always about being alive and in the here and now. I think he's learning a lot from the New Zealand teams.

“He has a connection with the Highlanders, is an All Black and has played for the Blues. It was a pleasure to work with him. He was obviously someone you could rely on when it came to kicking and game management.”

“With Marcus here, we exchange ideas and hopefully make this club successful. It's good.”

“I didn't know what to expect here, but we get along really well on and off the pitch. We exchange ideas, look at the opponents and give feedback on training. I think that giving feedback on training is a pretty big thing here.”

“In Wales it's probably a bit more about the opponent. Here we look at ourselves a lot more. Sometimes you have to look at the opponent but I think that's what we do. I enjoyed working with him. Hopefully we can make each other better.”

Of course, anyone who knows Evans – and any of his coaches in Cardiff will tell you this – knows that the other code influences him the most.

Evans was a rugby fan from a young age, was the Penrith Panthers' mascot in their 2004 World Club Challenge match against the Bradford Bulls and was given the NRL club's jersey for Christmas as a child. As a young man he idolised a generation of Australian league legends such as Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis. Panthers stars such as Rhys Wesser and Preston Campbell were other players he would have loved to watch in his youth as they attempted to bring elements of the 13-a-side game to the union.

“I'm still very interested in rugby,” said Evans. “I've always been a fan of the league since I was about six or seven.”

“It's become more of a thing where I watch and try to pick out things that they're doing to bring them into the union. I'll watch the majority of those NRL games.

“I keep an eye on the Super League, but I watch the NRL week in week out. I've been doing that since I was a kid.”

“My dad drove me there and I was the Penrith Panthers mascot when I was about six years old. I've been a massive fan ever since. I probably picked up a lot from watching and tried to incorporate it into my game in the Union.”

In recent years, some of Evans' former coaches and teammates have had the opportunity to learn from the league environment. Richie Rees spent a week with NRL team Manly Warringah Sea Eagles earlier this year, while Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt visited the Wigan Warriors this summer.

Even the Welsh team were able to attend the State of Origin final in Brisbane this summer – an experience Evans would no doubt have enjoyed. Getting to know the league environment first hand and learning more tips for the FA is on his to-do list, but Evans hasn't been able to bring himself to do so yet.

“I was planning on going over there this summer to maybe check out some teams and see what they're doing,” Evans said. “I always say I'm going to do it, but then something comes up.”

“But I definitely will at some point. It's always been kind of a crossover. League guys go to Union and vice versa. I just try to take as much as I can from those guys.”

Should there be any bouts of homesickness, there is now a growing Welsh group at the Gallagher Premiership club – Leigh Halfpenny and Wyn Jones have joined Evans, Dillon Lewis, Bryn Bradley and Adam Jones at the Stoop.

Halfpenny is another experienced voice that Evans will rely on and the connector was quick to stress the huge influence the Lions full-back will have on the English club's young defenders.

“For someone who has achieved everything, he's a pretty quiet guy,” he added. “He's pretty quiet and humble. But when he's on the field, he's totally there. I enjoyed having him around. He's achieved everything.”

“He's so meticulous about his extras. His kicking game, his stuff in the backfield and his stuff on defense – he's so meticulous about his role and how he executes it. But also the recovery. Every part of him is so meticulous. It's one thing to say that.

“But for someone who has achieved so much to continue doing so is really a testament to his achievement. We (all the Welsh boys) are not too far apart.

“Bomb (Adam Jones) always makes this joke that we need to mingle. Honestly, it's good to have them here.”