The 33-year-old has been appointed assistant forwards coach of the Gwent region and will also assist with the newly formed under 23 side.
Despite last season’s struggles Evans is confident Bernard Jackman’s side now have the quality in their ranks to push up the Guinness PRO14 table.
“I think the Dragons can kick on this season,” he said.
“Bernard has recruited very strongly and he is trying to create competition within the squad. Recruitment was a big issue in the past but Bernard is putting things right.
“This is his first real season because he’s got his hands on the players he wanted. Everybody has got a positive vibe and a great work ethic in pre-season training.
“We really want to get rid of that stigma that is associated with the Dragons. During my early years at the Ospreys myself and Alun Wyn Jones were the youngsters coming through similar to these young Dragons players.
“It’s about getting the right balance between experience and youth to bring these players through. Luckily enough we have got a bit of experience in our pack with guys like Richard Hibbard who is a British & Irish Lion and Aaron Jarvis who is also very experienced.”
Having only recently hung up his boots Evans is keen to make his mark as a coach in professional rugby. And he insists he can make a big impact as a coach with the Dragons over the coming seasons.
“I had been coaching with Cross Keys so I’ve been trying my best to get on the professional coaching ladder,” he said.
“I suppose I’ve had a lucky break to get in the professional games. When I knew my playing career was coming to an end I just kept my hand in coaching by helping out Andrew Bishop at Treorchy in Division One.
“I then had a phone call off Morgan Stoddard at Cross Keys offering me the position of forwards coach. I suppose the next step was to be involved in a professional environment.
“I’m helping to coach the line-outs within the senior team and working on their skills. I’m confident I can make a real mark at the Dragons and as a transitional coach I can help some of our younger boys to make the step up from semi-professional rugby to professional rugby.”
