Jones: Evans fits the Dragons mould

The 26-year-old has been in strong form this season making 20 RaboDirect PRO12 appearances as well as stepping up to the mark as captain when Andrew Coombs has been absent from the side.

The Welshman again caught the attention of Jones in last weekend's Judgement Day meeting with Ospreys, although they would eventually lose out 20-10.

It leaves them tenth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table, currently the lowest ranked Welsh region with two rounds left to go.

But despite their position Jones, who started as director of rugby last June, believes there are signs of progress emerging ahead of next season.

"I was absolutely delighted with the attitude and the effort that the players put in against the Ospreys," Jones told the South Wales Argus.

"I thought that Lewis Evans was outstanding as a captain and as a player - we need more like him doing the Dragons shirt proud.

"We are slowly but surely getting the right people in the room and it's only when we get everyone singing from the same sheet that we will succeed.

"I said in the build-up to the Ospreys game that we are probably seven years behind the Ospreys and the challenge is to close that gap as quickly as we can. Sunday was an indication that we are doing it the right way."

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