Wayne Pivac’s men have won six of their first seven games to put themselves firmly in the play-off mix, but their Champions Cup Pool 3 assignment is brutally tough.
The draw sees the region face former wing George North at Franklin’s Gardens, as well as serving up testing examinations against big-spending Racing Metro and reigning Pro 12 champions Glasgow. But Evans hopes the three-time semi-finalists can carry their domestic form onto the continental stage.
“I think we have made a statement about our ambitions as a team with the way we have started the season,” said the Wales loosehead.
“I want us to be a top four team in the Pro 12 and a competitive side in Europe and I want people to respect us as well, in the way we respect other teams.
“We know what we can do, we need to bring it because this is a huge competition for us. We need to carry on from our good start, we cannot let standards slip, we take it one challenge at a time and go from there.”
Evans, 23, was part of Warren Gatland’s pre-World Cup training squad, and took part in the punishing summer training camps in Switzerland and Qatar.
While the front-rower from Haverfordwest, who won his first cap against Ireland in the Six Nations earlier this year, was disappointed not to make the final cut, he admits he feels in the best shape of his life and is keen to reap the benefits of his hard graft.
“I wouldn’t say I enjoyed those camps, because they were absolutely savage,” he said. “Every day out there was very, very hard. “But I am feeling very fit. Once I got my match fitness during the first couple of games I have felt great, it was a worthwhile experience.
“I’ve been getting my hands on the ball and getting involved in the loose which I have enjoyed. We had a good start, beating several of the Irish sides, now we have to step it up again.”
