TODAY will be 13 games on the spin and counting for Lewis Evans, who starts at openside flanker for Newport Gwent Dragons against Edinburgh at Rodney Parade.

The 23-year-old has already turned out more times for the Dragons this season (14) than he did in an injury-ravaged 2009/10 campaign.

He damaged ankle ligaments, pulled a calf after coming back too soon, suffered a knock to the knee, pulled the same troublesome right calf, broke a thumb and finally endured a hamstring injury.

The injury woe limited Evans to 11 appearances and it initially looked like this season would be another frustrating one for the Newport native.

He didn’t get a look in for the first few months of the campaign and was limited to a pair of brief appearances off the bench.

But that all changed when Gloucester headed to the Parade on November 4. He made his first start and has featured in every game since, all but two from the first whistle.

“The door opened slightly in the LV Cup and luckily I have taken my chance,” said Evans.

“Last year was really tough with the number of significant injuries I suffered. I just didn’t get going and it did affect me.

“It was a bit similar at the start of this season but the opportunities came thanks to the success of Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau with Wales and thankfully things have changed.”

Part of that change has been down to Evans’ newfound versatility – no longer is he just a blindside flanker/number eight, he’s an openside/blindside flanker/number eight.

This week he was praised by Dragons acting head coach Darren Edwards, who pointed to a trend in the global game of big number sevens.

New Zealand’s Richie McCaw, South Africa’s Juan Smit, Wales’ Sam Warburton are all big lumps... even James Haskell is playing openside for England.

“That change in the game is obviously a good one for me,” said 6ft 4ins Evans, who wore seven in the wins against Sale and the Scarlets.

“The move to openside has taken me out of my comfort zone and added another string to my bow.

“I had covered on the bench before and it was tough at first. I remember coming off the bench against Perpignan when Colin Charvis got injured early on and it was pretty nerve-racking, especially having Henry Tuilagi running full pelt at me!

“It is a slightly different position but it has been great to have Gavin Thomas (currently out injured) as a role model.

“He is a massive influence on the whole squad and he is not selfish with his knowledge. I just have to try and fill his boots as well as I can.”

He will be doing that against Edinburgh at the Parade this afternoon and believes the Scottish outfit are still a stiff challenge regardless of international absentees.

“They are a very organised side and possess a number of threats,” said Evans. “Their half-backs are very good and they are a strong side up front.

“The challenge for us as a pack is to get on top and hopefully our backs can use that ball well. We have been playing well and it is important that we keep our momentum.”