FULL-BACK Dan Evans admits his confidence is soaring after enjoying a dream debut for Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 23-year-old scored two tries in the 37-6 win against Zebre and impress-ed in defence and with his kicking out of hand.

A few eyebrows were raised when the Dragons signed Evans, capped twice on Wales’ tour of North America in 2009, from the Scarlets.

He had fallen down the pecking order and was largely confined to Premiership duty with Carmarthen Quins and Llanelli.

However, he caught the eye in pre-season and enjoyed a fine first competitive outing for the region.

“I am loving it here,” he said. “Hopefully I can play with a smile on my face and you will see the best of me.

“I’m a big confidence player and if I have that then hopefully I can keep producing performances like the one against Zebre.

“The coaches have shown a lot of faith in me and that is a massive boost for a rugby player.

“I just came here to get regular rugby and if I keep training well and keep doing the basics then I hope to keep the 15 shirt.”

Evans joined forces with fellow Wales internationals Tom Prydie and Will Harries in a back three which impressed on their first outing. Harries also crossed the whitewash while Prydie made a number of good raids with ball in hand and also notched 14 points from the kicking tee.

“We put a lot of hard work in to spot chances and I think that we worked well together as a back three,” said Evans.

“It was pleasing that we were clinical as a team and scored three tries on the counter attack.

“It will be a totally different test away to Leinster but we have made a good start and we have a chance to build on that.”