Newport Gwent Dragons are delighted to announce 2 new signings to bolster their squad ahead of the 2012/2013 season.
Full back Dan Evans, 23, joins the Dragons from the Scarlets whilst full back/wing Tom Prydie, 20, also makes the move East from the Ospreys. Their recruitment comes days after the Leinster game where the Dragons bid farewell to back 3 players Aled Brew and Martyn Thomas.
Both Dan and Tom have huge potential and are Wales caps but have had limited opportunities up until now.
Dan Evans rose through the ranks at the Scarlets and has been a mainstay in the squad over the past 3 seasons. He has racked up 14 appearances for the Scarlets this season including home and away against the Dragons. Dan won two caps on Wales's 2009 North America tour, making his debut in the 32-23 win over Canada but has been overlooked since.
On his move to the Dragons, Dan said “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s exciting to be joining a squad with the amount of young talent that the Dragons has at the moment. I’m eager to press for some more game time and hopefully help push for a successful season here at the Dragons.”
Prydie has been on loan with London Wasps since January, making 7 appearances for the Aviva Premiership side. Tom is a regular member of the Wales 7s side and has already earned four Wales caps. He became the youngest player to play for Wales when he faced Italy in the 2010 Six Nations aged 18 years and 25 days, and then became Wales' youngest try-scorer when he touched down against South Africa three months later.
Tom has recently been named in Danny Wilson’s Wales Under 20 squad for the Junior World Championships in South Africa this summer alongside Dragons Jon Evans, Jack Dixon and Ieuan Jones.
Tom has signed from the Ospreys where he made his debut at the age of 17 years and 292 days. That came as a second-half replacement in their Heineken Cup match against Viadana in December 2009, an appearance that made him the youngest player in Heineken Cup history.
Tom is looking forward to joining a youthful Dragons side and can see a lot of potential at the region. “I’m really looking forward to the new challenge that signing with the Dragons presents.” said Tom.
“I’ve worked with Darren before and felt I learned a lot from the time I spent with him. I really enjoyed the experience so am looking forward to getting involved in a new environment down at the Dragons next season.”
“This season has felt a bit stop start, particularly at the start of the season so it will be great to have a fresh start and a bit of consistency. There is a lot of potential at the Dragons and hopefully we can be very competitive next season.”
Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale was delighted with the signings, “I’m obviously really happy that both of these young players have decided to join us here at the Dragons. They both show a lot of promise and I am looking forward to working with them over the coming seasons.”
