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Exiles recruit hooker Evans

Exiles recruit hooker Evans

London Welsh have strengthened their options at hooker with the signing of Royal Marine sergeant, Gareth Evans, from Plymouth Albion.

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Evans, 30, makes the move to the Exiles after six seasons at Brickfields, having only converted to hooker full time in the last two seasons, after previously operating in the back row.

A strong ball carrier, Evans was schooled in the arts of hooking by the former Albion Chairman of Rugby Graham Dawe. Evans started both Championship fixtures between Welsh and Plymouth last season and was a try scorer in Albion’s 34-23 defeat at Old Deer Park.

No stranger to the tryline, his Old Deer Park effort came two weeks after a 70-metre breakaway try against Leeds Carnegie. When Leeds visited Brickfields last in the season, Evans scored twice in a 25-20 Albion win.

In total, Evans made 24 Championship appearances for Plymouth last season, finishing with five tries to his name.

Evans will combine his job in the Royal Marines next season with playing rugby for London Welsh.

Evans has represented the Navy on numerous occasions, but his proudest moment undoubtedly came in scoring the winning try against the Army at Twickenham in 2010 in front of 56,000.

Evans, playing at tight head prop, crashing over in the final minutes of the match to seal a 24-22 victory for the Navy.

Evans began his career at his hometown club Slough RFC in Berkshire and has also represented Combined Services and Devon.

“It’s a massive opportunity and I’m really looking forward to next season,” said Evans. “The Aviva Premiership is a massive challenge but we’ll see how we get on.

“Unlike in the Championship we’ll really have to hit the ground running, but hopefully with Lyn in charge he’ll guide us through.”

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