Dragons bring in some new blood
Newport Gwent Dragons have signed young outside backs Dan Evans and Tom Prydie in order to offset the loss of Aled Brew and Martyn Thomas.
Fullback Evans, 23, joins the Dragons from the Scarlets whilst 20-year-old utility back Prydie also makes the move East from the Ospreys.
Evans rose through the ranks at the Scarlets and has been a mainstay in the squad over the past three seasons. He has racked up 14 appearances for the Scarlets this season including home and away against the Dragons. The exciting fullback won two caps on Wales’ 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, Evans 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 seven appearances for the Premiership side. He is a regular member of the Wales Sevens 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.
The dangerous and versatile outside back 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.
Prydie is looking forward to joining a youthful Dragons side and can see a lot of potential at the region.
He commented: “I’m really looking forward to the new challenge that signing with the Dragons presents. 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,” added Prydie.
