JONATHAN Evans has been backed to knock loudly on the door for Wales honours after swapping Newport Gwent Dragons for Bath, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 23-year-old scrum-half from Bargoed has headed over the Severn Bridge after six seasons and 83 appearances for the Rodney Parade side.

He joins a star-studded Bath side featuring internationals galore – including Fijian ace Niko Matawalu as a rival for the 9 jersey.

But Evans, voted as Argus readers as their player of the season in 2012/13, hasn't headed to the Rec to be a back-up and his coach Darren Edwards expects the former Wales Under-20s player to flourish in the West Country.

"Jonny has done really well so far and it's an environment that will challenge him every day," said the former Dragons boss, who has recently penned a fresh four-year contract with last season's Aviva Premiership runners-up.

"I know that he is a character who will rise to that and he is almost obsessive about getting better.

"When we were in talks I told him that he would be going up against an established international – I couldn't tell him it was Niko at that stage – but Jonny didn't mind that.

"Some players shrink when faced by those challenges but he is someone who will enjoy it and the battle will help in his development."

Bath's Farleigh House training base is a little quieter at the moment in the absence of their six-strong England contingent, Fiji's Matawalu, South Africa's Francois Louw, Samoa's Alafoti Faosiliva and Argentina's Horacio Agulla.

They are also without Wales pair Rhys Priestland and Dom Day with the former Scarlets lock's surprise rise to Warren Gatland's squad providing Evans with inspiration, even if playing across the border is supposed to count against players.

"Play well for Bath in a winning side that is in big games and finals and the chance will come," said Edwards.

"Dom is a prime example of that and I am sure that is in the back of Jonny's mind, although first he will want to establish himself here."

Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams and Mike Phillips are Wales' scrum-halves at the World Cup with Rhys Webb facing a battle to play again this season and a doubt over next summer's tour to New Zealand.

Evans has to wait for a competitive debut as the Premiership doesn't get under way until October 17.