Welsh international prop Rob Evans has signed for the Dragons just days after it was announced he was being released by the Scarlets. The 39-times capped loosehead joins the Men of Gwent after nine years with the Scarlets, where he made more than 150 appearances.
Evans, 30, commented: “I’m happy to be joining and excited to get going next year. It feels like the right time for a change and, with the other signings and what Dean wants to build here, it will be brilliant and I’m looking forward to it.
“I love playing at Rodney Parade and the fans are really loud and intimidating. I’m looking forward to being a part of it and having them on my side.”
Director of rugby Dean Ryan said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming a player of Rob’s calibre to Dragons and excited about the impact he can make with us. Rob is highly driven and motivated to help us move forward as a squad. He also still has big international ambitions with Wales that he wants to achieve as a Dragon.”
Having made his Wales debut against Ireland in 2015, he went on to be a mainstay of Warren Gatland’s team, making his mark as a mobile front-rower with slick handling skills. He started four games in the 2019 Grand Slam campaign, with his last cap coming against England at Twickenham in March 2020.
Evans is the second Welsh international loosehead to be recruited by the Dragons, with Rhodri Jones coming on board from the Ospreys. They are among a long list of signings that also features Highlanders centre Sio Tomkinson, Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts, Clermont Auvergne utility back JJ Hanrahan, Exeter back-five forward Sean Lonsdale, Bath centre Max Clark, London Irish lock George Nott, Cardiff scrum-half Lewis Jones and returning Scarlets back Angus O’Brien.
