The Max Evans Column

This week Scotland wing and Planet Rugby columnist Max Evans takes us on a trip down memory lane and shares his favourite Calcutta Cup moments.

Sunday is a huge day for Scotland, not just for us as a rugby team but for the whole nation. The weekend can't come soon enough...we're all itching to get out on the field!

More than just another rugby game

My granddad is the reason I became so passionate about rugby and playing for Scotland. As a youngster, I always used to watch games with him. He was a typical Scot, he'd always cheer for whoever was playing against England. Even though I went to school in England, having a patriotic Scottish grandfather left me in no doubt about the passions that are involved in the Calcutta Cup.

My favourite childhood memory is of the 2000 game at Murrayfield...back when I was about 16 and Mike Tindall still had some hair! It was played in horrendous conditions but Scotland won 19-13. Duncan Hodge was at fly-half yet he scored a classic forward's try. Duncan - whose hairline has also take a significant step in the wrong direction - is now our kicking coach but looking back at that try, perhaps he's got a few tips to share with our pack!

A special atmosphere

Watching the 2008 game with friends in the stands at Murrayfield is one of my favourite Calcutta Cup moments. I had just broken into the fringes of the Scotland squad and I had many close friends from Glasgow on the field too as Scotland won 15-9.

My good buddy Dan Parks came on in the second half and took control of game. I remember Jason White absolutely smashing Paul Sackey with a huge tackle and the vibe in the stadium was unbelievable.

2009 - The best and worst in one

The last time Scotland visited Twickenham, in 2009, is a day that will be engraved in my memory forever. It was the first time that my brother and I played together at Twickenham (we'd each played there before at schoolboy level, but never together). Standing next to him while the anthems were playing - with that massive new stand full of fans - was such a proud moment.

It was also the first time we played against an old Wellington College first XV team-mate of ours, James Haskell, who was in my brother's year.

Unfortunately, that day also provided my worst Calcutta Cup memory. We had a really good start and Thom came close to scoring a try but just got clipped into touch by Ugo Monye. So when we lost 26-12 in the end, we were absolutely gutted. However, I recall seeing the stats after the game and noticing that I'd never made that many tackles in a game before.

2010 a springboard for 2011

Having watched Scotland beat England from the stands, it was a satisfying feeling to get a good result - even if it was a draw - when I was on the field last year. It was a privilege to experience that atmosphere as a player. The game itself was somewhat frustrating because of the lack of tries, but there was no lack of ferocious tackling, in the classic Calcutta Cup spirit.

I expect the same kind of intensity come Sunday.

Until next week, cheers!

Max