Injured Evans heads home

The 24-year-old suffered a serious neck injury in a first-half collision with Wales full back Lee Byrne in the RBS 6 nations match at the Millennium Stadium on 13 February and had to undergo two operations.

Having been attended to and treated on the pitch by the WRU medical team and Scottish team doctor, James Robson, Evans was immediately taken to UHW, when he came under the care of Sashin Ahuja

Mr Ahuja, a consultant working at UHW in the field of spinal surgery for seven years, commended the SRU and WRU medical teams for the high standard of care Thom received on the pitch.

"I was watching the game and could see the medical care provided on the pitch was excellent," said Ahuja.

"Thom was admitted with a very unstable injury to his neck. He was scanned and operated on within hours of admission.

"The first operation was critical to protect the spinal cord as the vertebra had slipped. This was preformed on the Saturday night and was successful with Thom showing immediate signs of recovery.

Due to the severity of Thom's injuries to his neck, further treatment was suggested to maintain this stability. He was offered this at a later time but Thom insisted that this be done in Cardiff.

"After the second operation, Thom now feels that he can begin his recovery in earnest. He will be in a collar for at least six weeks to allow the soft tissue to heal and his care has been transferred to a hospital in Glasgow for outpatient and rehabilitation treatment," added Mr Ahuja.

"On behalf of all the staff involved in caring for Thom, we wish him all the best in the future."

Evans, who travelled home to Glasgow by air on Thursday, praised the staff of UHW as well as those on duty at the Millennium Stadium on the day of the match.

"The care I received in Cardiff was outstanding and I owe a great debt of gratitude to my main surgeon Sashin Ahuja and neuro surgeon John Martin who accompanied me in the ambulance and who was present during my first operation," said Evans.

"I cannot thank enough the Scotland team doctor, James Robson, physiotherapist Lisa Casey and WRU doctor Mike Fardy for their extreme professionalism whilst on the Millennium Stadium pitch.

"I have been amazed and moved by the many, many messages of support from well-wishers inside and outside the rugby world who have taken the time to send me and my family their best wishes"

Scottish team doctor, James Robson, was another who praised the combined efforts of all who were involved in caring for Evans.

"Once again I would like to offer the thanks of the Scotland medical team to the WRU, the staff at the Millennium Stadium and all staff at UHW in Cardiff for the dedicated and professional care that has enabled Thom to reach this stage in his recovery," said Dr Robson.

"We have witnessed the rugby and medical families acting as one to ensure Thom has received the very best of treatment, just as Chris Paterson did in the aftermath of his kidney injury and we are most grateful."