There are not too many players who win full international honours before making their Super League debut.
Ben Evans represented Wales in the autumn international series against France and England but has yet to make his senior domestic bow.
That his moment could arrive against his parent club tomorrow merely adds intrigue to a potentially momentous occasion for the on-loan Warrington forward.
“It’s a tricky one isn’t it, playing against my own club on my Super League debut,” said 20-year-old Evans ahead of the Bulls’ trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
“It would be nice to play against Warrington but it’s just another team at the end of the day and another two points are available.
“If I do play I’ll go out there with the same attitude as I do for every game.”
After hip surgery which had sidelined him for four months, Evans made his long-awaited first appearance for the Bulls in last weekend’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup romp at Rochdale.
He came off the bench in the first half and did not take a backward step, putting him in line to play some part against his own employers this weekend.
Evans said: “Franny (Cummins) told me at the beginning of last week that I could be playing at Rochdale, so I trained pretty well and was made up to get out there.
“It was good, I enjoyed it. There was a spell for about ten minutes when we were throwing the ball about in the rain.
“We just needed to settle things down, take a few carries and complete our sets.
“All the hard work has been worth it but that has to continue now because I want to get in the team on a regular basis.
“I’ve worked hard to get fit but it’s just another step. I need to kick on again now.
“Have I given Franny something to think about? I hope so.
“It’s a big game this weekend and if I can put a question mark in his head for selection, then I’ve done my job. I’ll just see what Franny comes up with.”
Bridgend-born Evans represented England at Academy level but chose to play for Wales as a senior.
His twin brother Rhys, who plays for Warrington and England Knights, is currently out injured but the Bulls loanee has an insight into goings on at his parent club.
“I live with Glenn Riley, who also made his debut last weekend in Warrington’s Cup win at Keighley, so I’ll try and find out Warrington’s game-plan!” joked Evans, who looks certain to feature with Jamie Langley (hamstring) absent this weekend.
“Hopefully I can play a few more games and get a run-out on Sunday.
“It would be great to establish myself here at Bradford and then put myself forward for the Wales team later in the year.”
After the injury woes which wrecked his pre-season and disrupted Evans’ start to life at Odsal, he looks certain to compete for a regular spot in the coming weeks.
He said: “My hip was absolutely fine last week, there were no problems at all.
“I felt really good and I just need a couple of games to get my fitness back up now.
“Like I say, playing against Warrington would be a nice way to start my Super League career but it’s all up to Franny now.
“If I don’t get picked for this weekend then I’ll just go in to training, keep working hard and hopefully get picked for the Leeds game.”
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