Lloyd Evans: I needed early move to Dragons from Gloucester

The 28-year-old had a season to run on his contract with Gloucester but, down the pecking order at Kingsholm, opted to leave early and sign up at Rodney Parade.

Evans arrives on a one-year contract with the aim of earning a longer stay by shining with 10 on his back rather than being shifted to full-back.

The Welsh-qualified playmaker from Cheltenham, son of former Scarlets chairman Huw, now has his destiny in his own hands.

“I was definitely looking for a move, especially to play 10, and it eventually came about that the Dragons was an option,” said Evans, who will battle with Will Reed for starts.

“It was something that I was excited about after speaking to Dai [Flanagan, head coach] and then it was just a case of getting it done.

“I have found it refreshing coming into a different environment and meeting new people, this is exciting.

“It’s a short career and you need to take the opportunities when they come along. I really want to prove myself as a 10 and this is a great chance to do that, but I have to earn my spot and show what I am about.”

MOVE: Dragons summer signing Lloyd Evans (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Evans is a 10/15 at the Dragons as opposed to Angus O’Brien and Cai Evans, who are 15/10s.

The new signing made 14 appearances last season for the Cherry and Whites, including a start in the Premiership Cup final win against Leicester, but operated mainly at full-back.

With Wales international Gareth Anscombe heading to Kingsholm to join Charlie Atkinson and Santiago Carreras as a fly-half option, Evans was proactive rather than accepting his place down the pecking order.

“I’ve always been a 10 but in the last couple of seasons at Gloucester I played a lot at 15,” he said. “I want to challenge myself at 10 and feel at home there, which I feel that I can do at the Dragons.

“I am naturally an attacking 10 and I like to play what I see but I have also learnt a lot about game management from playing in the Premiership, so hopefully I can provide a good balance between the two.”

BREAK: Lloyd Evans on the run for Gloucester against Bath (Image: PA)

Evans will look to be the starter at fly-half when the Dragons get their United Rugby Championship campaign under way against the Ospreys on Saturday, September 21.

Flanagan will hope to profit from the friendly rivalry between Evans and 22-year-old Reed, who was over-used last season. O’Brien and Cai Evans will be cover along with Wales Under-20s prospect Harri Ford.

“I’ve come here to play fly-half but I know that we are well-stocked there and we are challenging each other,” said the summer signing. “Will is really talented and we have worked well together so far.”

The Dragons play the first of three friendlies when they host Hartpury University RFC of the English Championship a week on Saturday, which is followed by trips to face the Premiership pair of Bristol and Bath.