Ospreys move to sign Gloucester back-row
The Ospreys have swooped to complete the signing of number eight Gareth Evans, who joins the PRO14 side from Premiership club Gloucester.
An experienced back-rower with Welsh roots, Evans is the second new face confirmed for next season so far alongside Wales’ first choice fly-half, Gareth Anscombe, and he will link up with the region for pre-season training at Llandarcy Academy of Sport next month.
A product of the Gloucester Academy, 27-year-old Evans comes with a reputation as a physical ball carrier, a reputation established across 85 senior appearances for the Cherry and Whites since his debut in the Premiership, against Worcester in 2011, aged just 19.
A specialist number eight, the 1.91m and 111kg Evans, has also turned out at blindside and openside for Gloucester. A Challenge Cup winner in 2015, he starred in Gloucester’s 19-13 win over Edinburgh in the final.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to join an awesome club and I can’t wait to get stuck in,” said Evans.
“I’ve been a one-club guy all my career but the Ospreys are an awesome club, it’s got a great history and I’m joining a really good team that I think is in a really good place at the moment and has a big future ahead.
“Looking at the guys who are already here in the back-row we’ve got some top level guys so for me it’s going to be about getting my hands on the ball, carrying, and trying to get go forward for the team and give the guys out wide a bit of an opportunity to do some damage.
“My Dad’s Welsh, my Grandad lives up on the Llyn Peninsula, and that whole side of the family are thrilled that I’m joining the Ospreys. I grew up in England but my Dad always made sure I was supporting Wales whenever they were on the TV, and I have done ever since, so I’m really excited to be playing my rugby in Wales.”
Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke said he’s delighted to capture a player who has been on his radar for some time.
“Gareth is someone I’ve been tracking for a while now. Having met him and his wife Antonia, it’s clear they are both delighted to be joining us at the Ospreys. I’m equally thrilled as I know Gareth will bring a different skillset to the squad,” he said.
“He’s had significant experience with Gloucester as a specialist eight in the Premiership and Europe, showing how dynamic and physical he can be with the ball in hand. He’s still young and hungry to improve. I’ve no doubt we have yet to see the best of him and I look forward to Gareth not only adding quality competition to our back-row roster but competing for a starting spot in the team.”