Lewis Evans is set to spearhead the Dragons' quest for PRO12 honours next season © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Lewis Evans

Tournaments/Tours: Amlin Challenge Cup | RaboDirect PRO12

Teams: Dragons | Wales

Newport Gwent Dragons have handed back-row Lewis Evans the captaincy for the forthcoming season.

The 25-year-old will take over the honour from Wales lock Luke Charteris who left the region at the end of last season in favour of a move to French Top 14 side Perpignan. Evans will skipper a squad featuring international stars Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau but is relishing the opportunity to lead from the front.

"I'm overwhelmed and really honoured to have been named captain for the coming season," he said. "The Dragons players are more than just co-workers - these guys are my mates on and off the field. It makes this a special place to play and I'm really looking forward to leading the boys out. There's a great atmosphere in the camp and that's shown in the intensity of our pre-season training. These are boys who will lay themselves on the line without hesitation and it's and very exciting to be asked to represent them in this way."

Evans is not assured of his place in the side for the PRO12 opener against new Italian side Zebre with the Dragons also slated to face Wasps, Bayonne and Mogliano in their Amlin Challenge Cup pool.

"Captaining doesn't always guarantee selection and I know that it's going to be tough this season with the Welsh boys in the side and Darren [Waters] on my tail," said Evans. "I want to ensure that I'm selected on my own merit and if I want to be pushing for international selection I need to be able to stand up alongside the best.

"Like most young players I aspired to captain the regional side, but to be doing it at a young age is more than I would have dreamed of. Having said that, we know what our goals are - to make Rodney Parade a fortress and pick up those crucial wins on the road so I'm as focussed as ever on the job in hand."

The Dragons' director of rugby Robert Beale is confident that Lewis can handle the responsibility. "The coaching team put a lot of thought into this appointment and we are sure that Lewis is going to do an excellent job," he said. "Lewis has proven himself over the past few seasons to be an excellent player and leader of the regional side and I'm sure that this added responsibility will improve him as a player."