Leicester Tigers have signed back-rower Gareth Evans on a short-term contract ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The 29-year-old, capable of playing across the back row, joins Tigers from Welsh club Ospreys.

Evans made his professional rugby debut for Gloucester Rugby in 2011 after graduating from the Premiership club’s academy programme and spent eight seasons at the club, which included a loan spell at Hartpury College.

During his time at Gloucester, Evans was a member of the squad who won the 2013 Premiership Rugby Sevens and 2014/15 European Challenge Cup.

In 2019, Evans joined Ospreys ahead of the 2019/20 Pro14 season.

Speaking about the addition of Evans, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Steve Borthwick said:

“Gareth is a hard-working forward, who is keen to be a part of what we are building at Leicester Tigers and committed to contributing to that.

“He is an experienced player, who will add vital depth to our back row stocks ahead of the new season.

“With Jasper Wiese and Marco van Staden on international duty, the addition of Gareth for the opening months of the new campaign provides us with depth as well healthy competition for places in our matchday squad.”

Evans said: "It's an incredible opportunity for me to join a club with a history like Leicester Tigers, I'm very excited.

"I am really looking forward to getting stuck in and hoping to contribute as much as I can.

"Steve has been great in the discussions we have had, giving me a very clear set of instructions of what he wants from me which makes it nice and easy for me to fit in with the group."

Evans joins the Leicester Tigers squad effective immediately.