It's been more than 15 years since Scotland international Thom Evans' life changed forever, when a horrifying incident put an end to his promising rugby career at the age of just 24. Back in 2010, the Glasgow Warriors wing won his 10th international cap against Wales at the Principality Stadium, in what proved to be one of the memorable Six Nations matches of all time as the hosts mounted a remarkable comeback to seal a dramatic win in the dying seconds of the game. However, Evans wasn't on the field to witness the brutal defeat, having been stretchered off the pitch shortly before half-time following a sickening collision with Wales full-back Lee Byrne. There was immediate concern for the back, who received treatment on the field for several minutes before being rushed to hospital - but it was there where the true extent of his injuries became clear. It was revealed that the collision with Byrne had knocked Evans' cervical vertebrae so badly out of alignment that he had been left just a millimetre from paralysis, or even death. Evans underwent emergency surgery on his neck just hours after the match ended, before having a second operation to further stabilise his spine later that week. Describing the impact with Byrne as "like being hit with a sniper's bullet", the Scotsman spent a week in a Cardiff hospital before undergoing four months of rehabilitation. However, Evans was sadly forced to retire in July of that year, after being advised by medical experts to give up the sport. "I can still do pretty much anything. I just can't play a physical game such as rugby," he said as he announced he was hanging up his boots. "When you're told you can't play the sport you love dearly, it comes as quite a shock. "I've been fortunate to have played six seasons at the top against some of the best players in the world. I'll have those memories for the rest of my life," Evans added. "You can ask any rugby player who has had a freak accident and they will still tell you that rugby is the best game in the world." While the devastating setback ended his rugby dreams, however, Evans is thriving 15 years on, having started a new life as a model, appearing on the front cover of magazines including Men's Health and Attitude. However, he has tried his hand at multiple other pursuits, including training to become a sprinter, just two years on from suffering his near-fatal injury in Cardiff. Evans went on to finish fourth in the 60m event at the Scottish Senior Championships that year, but later decided to not continue with athletics, instead turning his attention to acting. While that career didn't go any further, however, the former Glasgow star tried his hand at reality TV, starring in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 before being voted out in the fifth week. Two years later, he took part in the first series of Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls , before competing in The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019, as part of a band which also featured fellow rugby players Ben Foden and Levi Davis. Evans had already had a taste of a career in music, having been part of pop band Twen2y4Se7en - and toured as a support act for McFly, Westlife and Peter Andre - before his rugby career took off. In the end, the band - named TryStar - were eliminated in the semi-final, but the competition would have a happy ending for Evans as it led him to meet his future fiancee, former Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger. Having met on the show, the couple began dating at the beginning of 2020 with the former rugby star popping the question three years later. Evans and Scherzinger - who previously dated F1 legend Lewis Hamilton and tennis player Grigor Dimitrov - regularly share insights into their relationship, with recent posts on social media showing them soaking up the sun on romantic beach holidays. They are yet to officially tie the knot due to Scherzinger's commitments on Broadway show Sunset Boulevard , with the singer thanking her fiance for his patience in waiting for a wedding. "Oh, there’s no wedding planning, honey," she told 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." Evans certainly doesn't seem to mind, having recently paid tribute to his fiancee with a gushing social media post celebrating her achievements as part of Sunset Boulevard. "My love @nicolescherzinger," he wrote on Instagram. "It’s hard to put into words the love, respect and admiration that I have for you, but I will give it my best shot. "For over 2 years now, through blood, sweat and tears you have sacrificed everything to pursue a vision. A vision, in which you would finally be seen and recognised for the God given talent that you have. "To witness first hand the absolute dedication and commitment you have given to the role of Norma Desmond is truly awe inspiring to me and anybody who has been fortunate enough to see you in @sunsetblvdmusical. To me, you will always be the Greatest Star of All and I love you with all my heart."