Title, ring and IVF eye opener - Evans' whirlwind year

Image source, Georgia EvansImage caption,

Georgia Evans celebrates winning the PWR title with partner Hannah Botterman

ByCeri Coleman-PhillipsBBC Sport Wales

Published17 minutes ago

Wales forward Georgia Evans is smiling from ear to ear as she takes a seat in front of the media, and it is not surprising given the year she has had so far.

While most of us were basking in record breaking temperatures, Evans began her summer by winning the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) title with Saracens.

A few days later she was proposed to by England World Cup winner Hannah Botterman in front of a dreamy Greek sunset, and now boasts an engagement ring so big it should be classed as a structural hazard.

Throw in a new house, plans to start a family and 2026 will take some beating for the 29-year-old.

Wales v South Africa

WXV Global Series

Friday, 18 September

Cardiff Arms Park

Watch on iPlayer

Live on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with live text coverage

'My happiest self'

It was around this time 12 months ago when I was interviewing a very different Georgia Evans.

Wales had crashed out of the World Cup in miserable fashion, while Evans' individual appearance was targeted by online trolls, sparking a social media storm.

The rugby community - of course - rallied, with her trademark pink ribbon becoming the tournament's symbol of solidarity.

"This year, I'm in a really good space," said Evans.

"I've got lots of things to focus on outside of rugby and coming into the [Wales] environment, I've just taken the pressure off.

"It's now about being my happiest self and when I'm happy, I'm playing free and the coaches allow me that freedom."

Hannah Botterman takes a selfie with Georgia Evans having just proposed

Image source, Georgia EvansImage caption,

Hannah Botterman proposed to Georgia Evans in front of family and friends on the Greek island of Zakynthos

A perfect partnership

Evans and Botterman may be on opposing sides for club and country, but together they make the perfect team.

Evans said "it's amazing" to support her fiancee and see the success she has with England, who are on a 39-Test winning streak.

"Obviously it makes me a little bit jealous at times, but she's also been through the troubles of injury and rehab," said Evans, who was in the Salford crowd on Saturday to watch Botterman make her comeback in England's victory over Australia.

"To have that connection is pretty special and unique. The fact that we're not in each other's pockets, but doing the same type of thing every day, also really helps.

"I'm incredibly proud of her and I hope she's proud of me."

When asked about her surprise engagement, Evans lit up.

"I was in a bit of a bubble. It felt like a fever dream where you just don't know what's going on, and then I came back for pre-season and it all hits you pretty hard."

She said it was a bit too early to start planning a wedding, but fellow Wales forward Alisha Joyce and Wales centre Meg Webb had both been enlisted as bridesmaids.

"I've allowed them to run with my hen do, so God knows if I'll come back alive," Evans joked.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Figure caption,

Evans and Botterman say they feel supported on their fertility journey

Family planning 'eye opener'

Evans and Botterman have started the process of planning a family.

Speaking openly on The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby podcast, Botterman said she had been for pre-scans which had left her "terribly surprised".

"It's a bit of an eye opener, all the things you have to go through and put in place," added Evans.

"Unfortunately it's not a happy accident that just happens for us, but it's something that we've looked into for the future."

The couple also praised the support available from their unions. Alisha and wife Jaz Joyce became the first couple to have a baby in Wales' camp, having welcomed their son Ralphie in November.

"Speaking to Hannah and [England head coach] John Mitchell they're absolutely amazing with families and super supportive, so is Lynny (Wales head coach Sean Lynn), he loves the family feel here, baby Ralphie is always around," said Evans.

"It's another step forward to allow us as elite athletes to plan for motherhood because rugby is such a small time frame in your life, and it's such a bigger thing to look forward to after rugby, or during as you've seen with so many incredible women at the moment."

As to the allegiance of any potential children, Evans was quick to respond: "We've already had that argument. They'll be wearing a Welsh shirt for sure."