The Ospreys have completed the signing of Gareth Evans from Gloucester.
The 27-year-old back-rower is experienced having lined out 85 times for the Cherry and Whites and winning the European Challenge Cup in 2015 with the side.
Speaking about the move which sees him link-up with Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe who will also join this summer, Evans said that the Ospreys past and their future plans had a big part to play in his move.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to join an awesome club and I can’t wait to get stuck in. 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,” he said.
Although born and raised in England and coming through the Gloucester academy Evans admits that his family’s Welsh side have always been at his heart and is delighted to play in the country.
“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,” he added.
Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke is excited to have Evans on board as he has been following the No 8 for a while now.
“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.
Evans who is a natural No 8 can also play as either flanker and will add a huge amount to this growing Ospreys team however, the arrival of Anscombe has meant that Sam Davies will be leaving the club.
Davies picked up his 150th cap only two weeks’ ago and has been at the club for 10-years, racking up 836 points for the club putting him second in the all-time leading scorers list but will now seek his trade elsewhere.
