The Ospreys are delighted to confirm that Ian Evans has signed a new three-year contract.
The Welsh international second row today put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him at the Liberty Stadium until the end of the 2012/13 season.
25-year old Evans has committed his future to the region after working hard to return to action following injury problems that saw him out of action for a combined total of twelve months, first with an ACL injury suffered on international duty against the All Blacks in November 2008, before suffering a tear of the pec major tendon playing for Swansea against Pontypridd the following October.
Speaking after signing his new deal, Evans said:
"I'm chuffed to bits to have been able to sign a new contract, and to have three more years with the Ospreys. I want to be part of a team that is building towards something special and I'm really looking forward to a bright future as part of an ambitious organisation that wants to be the best.
"Obviously I've had a difficult couple of years but I'm looking forward to getting a good pre-season under my belt, entering next season fresh and free of injury and hopefully, I can have a better season and get a good run of games and more game time under my belt.
"With my future sorted now there aren't any distractions for me, I just want to be able to re-establish myself at the Ospreys because there is real competition for places. Rugby players just want to be playing matches and I'm no different there. My focus now is entirely on getting back into the team and rewarding the Ospreys for the faith that they have put in me with this three-year contract."
Having returned to action earlier this season, Evans has gone on to make 10 appearances during the current campaign, taking his total for the region to 65 since his debut against Munster at Musgrave Park at the starts of the 2005/06 season. He also has 16 Wales caps to his credit, scoring an eye-catching try on his debut in Argentina during the summer of 2006 that saw him running in from more than 60 metres out.
Ospreys Coach Jonathan Humphreys said:
"To be able to secure Ian's service for another three years is fantastic news for the region as we believe he can play a major role in what we are looking to do here at the Ospreys in the coming seasons. He has worked incredibly hard over the last two seasons, showing real strength of character. While we missed him on the pitch when he was injured, he always remained an integral member of the squad, an infectious personality at the heart of everything. Now that he is playing again, we are looking forward to seeing Ian getting back to being one of the best line-out forwards in world rugby.
"He's got some game time under his belt in the second half of the season, but the whole plan has always been to ensure that he starts pre-season in the best shape possible, so that he can get in a good pre-season which will enable him to get back to where he wants to be. I can't reiterate enough that this contract is a sign of the huge faith that we have in Ian and we are delighted that he has agreed to stick with us for the next three years."