Evans set to get chance to prove himself

LLOYD Evans looks set to be given another 23 games to prove he is a top-end Premiership fly-half.

The 25-year-old Welshman. pictured, signed a new deal with the Cherry and Whites in the autumn but could hardly have imagined he would be the club’s starting fly-half for 90 per cent of the season.

But with Danny Cipriani’s exit, that is exactly the prospect he and 20-year-old England U20s stand-off George Barton face until new signing Adam Hastings arrives next summer.

Head coach George Skivington said he was 100 per cent confident the likes of Evans and Barton could carry the team through the season in the pivotal role at 10.

He said: “Lloyd [Evans] hasn’t had a lot of exposure and he will going forward, and so will George [Barton] because I thought his composure was outstanding at the weekend [on his Champions Cup debut in the 55-10 defeat at Lyon].

Discussing the players in more depth, Skivington, who has already handed Evans a start in rounds two and three of the Gallagher Premiership with Cipriani reportedly struggling with injury niggles, said: “Lloyd is coming along really well.

“He is young and hungry and he is Gloucester through and through and he is really enjoying working with Alex King [attack coach] developing his game.

“He had a great game against Wasps and it is unfortunate he got a head bang against Quins because he was on form and it would have been interesting to see that game out with him on the field.

“Lloyd is here for the future and he is doing a great job and we are all very excited about that.

“George Barton really impressed me at the weekend and I think George has got a big future at the club going forward.”

Asked whether he will bring in a short-term signing to help cover fly-half, with his more senior option of England international centre Billy

Twelvetrees also unavailable having suffered an ankle injury that requires minor surgery, but is expected to keep him out until the end of January, Skivington said: “We are OK now.

“It is something we will review and have the conversations we have to have behind the scenes and work out where we stand and where we think we need cover.

“That is an ongoing exercise all the time, and when you get smashed with injuries over a certain period you are always thinking where can I plug that hole, how long is that guy out for.

“Those are pretty fluid conversations which are happening all the time anyway.”

Skivington said: “Lloyd and George are coming through well and that puts us in a good spot.”