Harlequins legend Evans to retire

Harlequins and former All Blacks fly-half Nick Evans has announced he is to retire from rugby at the end of the season.

Evans won 16 caps for New Zealand, playing at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, before joining Harlequins in 2008 and going on to make 208 senior appearances for the Premiership club, scoring a club record 2,217 points.

He is also the highest-scoring overseas player in the competition's history.

"I thought leaving New Zealand was hard, but leaving the game I've played since I was eight years old, and professionally for 17 years, is tough. But when you know, you know," Evans said.

"This game has taught me everything, showed me things I could never imagine and introduced me to people that are not team-mates but family.

"I need to thank the clubs I have represented, the coaches - who have helped shape the player I am today - and the fans, both in New Zealand where it all started, and here in the UK, for their support and cheers.

"I will never be able to express how much representing the All Blacks, and living my childhood dream, meant to me.

"I want to thank my parents and brother who are my biggest fans, and thank them for all the support, trips to training and games, and their 'constructive criticism' as only family can give.

"But most importantly my wife Sally and kids Olivia, Harry and Billy, thank you for being there through good and bad and making it easy to play the game I love; your support has been amazing.

"I couldn't think of a better shirt and place to finish my career at than Harlequins, I want to thank the club and fans for making myself and my family feel unbelievably welcome; it has made our time so special.

"Importantly I have to also thank the players for keeping me going over my time here. I am only a little cog in the Harlequins machine and I couldn't have done anything without my mates beside me on the field."

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston commented: "The word 'legendary' is really over used within the modern sporting world, but in the case of Nick Evans and his rugby playing career at Harlequins, it is the perfect description.

"It is a huge statement to make, but I genuinely question if any player in the history of the club has had such an impact on team performances."

Evans played for the Highlanders and the Blues before joining Quins, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 2011 and Premiership title in 2012.

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