Eric Evans

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Facts
Nation	England
Born	Droylsden, 1st February 1921
Position	Hooker
Internationals	30 caps between 1948 and 1958
Inducted	03/03/2001

Droylsden born Eric Evans was a no-nonsense hooker who amassed 30 caps in a 10 year period between 1948 and 1958.

His penchant for encouraging his team mates and fostering team spirit led to him being made captain in 1956. The following year he led England to their first Grand Slam in 29 years, since the great Ronald Cove-Smith had captained England in 1928.
It would be another 23 years before an England side, led by fellow Lancastrian Bill Beaumont, would finally emulate the achievement.

Of his team-mates Evans said “There are never any stars in a team…The team itself is the star”

England won Triple Crowns, great games and championships in between but it is Evans’ 1957 side that stands out as the one that beat them all.