SUMMER signing Jonathan Evans believes Bath Rugby can make him the best he player he can be as he prepares for his first season at The Rec.

The scrum-half spent the last five seasons at Newport Gwent Dragons but opted to test himself in the Aviva Premiership this term.

Evans believes he has joined one of the best teams in Europe and is excited about linking back up with former Dragons boss Darren Edwards, who is now on the coaching staff at Bath.

“I’d been at Newport for five years and think I’d had 80-plus appearances but I had never been offered another club before and got the opportunity to come here and have a look,” said Evans.

“I did and was given a decision between the Dragons and Bath and I decided to challenge myself.

“If I want to develop as a player I need to keep competing against the best and Bath are one of the best clubs in England, if not Europe.

“It was a great opportunity and I didn’t want to regret not taking it.

“I don’t think I’d reached a ceiling at Newport but I felt the facilities and coaching staff, and everything here could develop me into an even better player.

“The fact Darren is here did help a little bit. I spoke to him a couple of times and I knew he would be honest with me if he thought it would be a good move.

“He reassured me and said he thought it was the best choice for me. He was honest and they have been honest with the way they want me to develop.”

Chris Cook wore the number nine jersey for much of last season, while the duo also have to battle it out for selection with another new signing, Nikola Matawalu.

He will join the Bath squad following his commitments at the World Cup with Fiji, having agreed a switch from Glasgow Warriors for the new season.

Evans added: “There is a lot of competition, it was something I looked into during the move and competition is only a good thing, it will make you a better player. That’s what I want to do, I want to be pushed.

“Chris has been at the club for years so he knows everything here, and Niko can create things that other people couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to imagine. At the same time I think I offer something different as well.”