Gareth Evans is the senior coach to Sapperrugby, he has just returned from an Op tour in Afghan, in his absence the team has remained in the very capable hands of forwards coach Mike Thomas. Gareth is a man of true character who demands the highest standards and intends to ensure that the standards of the Sapper team remain the very highest. Based at the Royal Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment in Wimbish just off the M11 Gareth played for the Combined Services U23s and has a wealth of playing and coaching experience.

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Gareth Evans kindly answered the following questions put by the Sapperrugby team prior to the team meeting for the Signals fixture.

Were you able to follow much of the rugby events whilst out in Afghan?
Everybody in the Management Team at Sapperrugby kept me well informed with all aspects of what was happening in Corps Rugby.
After recently returning your tour overseas will you be back in your role as head coach in time for the first Corps League game, or will you be over-seeing the first few games?
My first game back will be the first Merit Table game against the Royal Signals.
The Shelford and Corps XV Competition allowed the coaching staff to look at several new players, how many of these new faces do you see holding down a regular place in the first XV?
We used 53 players last season and I anticipate that this season will be much the same in regards to the amount of players that we use.  It is our job as coaches to ensure that we integrate new players into the environment because with the current high Operational tempo, established players might not always be available. 
Is the lack of experience at Corps level for some of the new additions going to be an issue this season?
We have so much experience in the majority of the team that I am confident that any new players who do play this season will have senior players all around them to guide them both on and off the pitch.
You have a lot of strength and depth at the back row position – with the emergence of ‘Vee’ Veikune and the return of Jope  & Koroiyadi along with Taylor, Huges and Cooke how difficult does it prove to utilise all of the talent available to you.
Availability is always a key factor with the current high Operational tempo so it’s not always the case that all players are available for all games.  When they are, every player understands the importance of playing well when given their opportunity.
How much of a boost is it to have players such as Jope, Koroiyadi and Stu Douglas back with the squad this year?
It is a massive boost to have players of the quality of Jope, Maku and Stu hopefully available for all of this season.  There are other players as well who we hope will contribute this season having either returned from Ops or injury, Ben Seru, Mark Eastley, Moji Matau, Rhydian Slade – Jones all quality players who for one reason or another have not had a lot of game time in the last couple of seasons.
After the REME’s recent win in the Corps XV Competition and a strong showing by the RLC and Gunners do you see this being the toughest season yet for the Sappers?
Every season gets tougher for us to retain the Merit Table, this season we will play the RLC, REME and Inf at home and that will be important for us.  We have also played well at Larkhill in the last 2 away Gnr game fixtures.  The Merit Table is a fantastic competition and it is where we judge ourselves as a team.  We have worked hard to win the competition for the last 4 years and it will be a great challenge again.
With a tough away game to the Signals to start the season what do you think will be your keys to victory?
The core values that we have built at Sapperrugby over the last few seasons is an amazing team spirit and a tremendous work ethic, if you couple that with a great backroom staff and the undoubted ability of the players that all makes for a great combination and hopefully a successful season.

Thanks Gareth for your time and honest views.