LOOSEHEAD prop Owen Evans is joining Harlequins when his Newport Gwent Dragons contract expires at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old front row forward joined the Rodney Parade region from Llandovery in 2012, quitting his job as a teaching assistant in Llanelli to become a professional.

However, this season he has found himself behind Boris Stankovich and Phil Price in the pecking order this season while Luke Garrett has been making an impression with Wales Under-20s.

Evans, son of former Wales prop Ricky, has made 14 appearances this term but just two starts and will now test himself in the Aviva Premiership, joining forces with Wales and Lions tighthead Adam Jones at the Twickenham Stoop.

Harlequins head coach John Kingston said: “Owen is a highly motivated and hardworking player who has serious designs on developing his game to reach the very top.

“We are delighted that he has chosen to join Harlequins and very much look forward to helping him realise his ambitions.”

Evans said: “I'm delighted to be joining Harlequins. I feel now is the right time to take the jump to the Aviva Premiership, having served a good apprenticeship initially in the Welsh Premiership and for the last few years in the Pro 12 for the Dragons.

“I want to develop further and with the international props in the squad, I feel that Quins can push me further.

“Having met with both Conor O'Shea and John Kingston I was even more impressed; they are very player-oriented and Quins is a very ambitious club. I can't wait to start pre-season."