DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME

Despite beating Connacht 34-29 – albeit a bit lucky with the Irishmen having had a last-minute try disallowed – Roos reckons the Stormers have to pull up their socks this weekend.

He says: “The fighting character we showed is admirable to see. But we have to improve, we’re not going to get through like that again this weekend.”  

He adds of the Italians: “They have a few internationals in their team. The Italians are very passionate and they are proud of the rugby in their country. 

“It’s going to be physical against players who work hard. We live for tough rugby matches and it’s another opportunity to show what we can do.” 

Coach John Dobson will name his team for the clash on Friday. 

THE word average doesn’t exist in Stormers No 8 Evan Roos’ vocabulary, he is the type of rugby player who goes all out to make a statement every single time he takes the field. 

Therefore, when he was out injured for six months because of a shoulder injury, Roos had a feeling that mense forgot about him. 

And at 25, the loose-forward does not like being forgotten. 

He responded the only way he knows how – by making a statement on the field and has scored an incredible six tries in just seven matches since his comeback.

With the Stormers hunting for a United Rugby Championship playoff spot, Saturday’s match against Benetton is another must-win encounter. 

Roos is ready to give it his all again for the eighth-placed span, saying ahead of the battle with the Italians: “I think I was gone long enough, people forgot about me…

“It’s been awesome [to be back].”