Six Nations star got engaged to Nicole Scherzinger after retiring at 24

Former Scotland international Thom Evans saw his rugby career cut short after sustaining a devastating injury against Wales during the 2010 Six Nations - but now has a happy life away from rugby. The Glasgow Warriors winger was competing in his 10th cap when he collided with full-back Lee Byrne just before the interval, in what turned out to be a thrilling comeback triumph for Wales. Evans was carried off on a stretcher with a neck injury, and subsequent surgery revealed he had come within just one millimetre of paralysis or death.

After several months of recovery, the Scotland star confirmed his retirement from the sport later that year, at just 24 years of age. Speaking to Men's Health in 2024, Evans detailed the severity of his injury. "I sustained a double fracture-dislocation to the C5 and C7 regions of my spine in 2010," he said. "I was playing for Scotland against Wales in the Six Nations and I was really fortunate because an injury of that magnitude, suffered on such a big stage, meant I had the very best personnel there to deal with it."

Evans initially swapped the rugby pitch for the athletics track, finishing fourth in the 2012 Scottish Senior Championships.

Yet, having dabbled in music as part of the band Twen2y4Se7en, who supported Westlife, among others, he decided to return to the world of entertainment.

The 40-year-old showcased his dance moves on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, exiting in week five. He also braved the wilderness in the inaugural series of Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2016.

However, it was his 2019 appearance on The X Factor: Celebrity - where he formed the group TryStar with fellow rugby players Ben Foden and Levi Davis - that proved transformative.

During the show, the former rugby star crossed paths with ex-Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger. The pair went public with their relationship in January 2020, and Evans popped the question during a holiday in Portugal in June 2023.

Despite being engaged, Evans and Scherzinger have yet to say 'I do', largely due to Scherzinger's busy schedule. Speaking on American radio last year, she said: "Yes, we will get married. We're engaged to be married when I'm not working. Thank God he is so patient."

Scherzinger has been praised for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in the West End production of Sunset Boulevard. She scooped a Tony Award for best actress in a musical in 2025, but her starring role left little time to plan her nuptials with Evans.

"Oh, there's no wedding planning, honey," Scherzinger revealed to Hello! Magazine in June. "When you do Broadway, it's only Broadway.

"You eat, sleep – you don't sleep much – and breathe Broadway. Thank God I have a very understanding and wonderful and the most supportive fiancé."