NEWPORT Gwent Dragons captain Lewis Evans admits he is “disappointed” by comments slamming the region made in the Argus by former Rodney Parade favourite Rhys Thomas.

Thomas earlier this month hit out at his old side, accusing them of “being stuck in a rut” and of having “no ambition”.

The Wales international tighthead prop, who spent six seasons with the Dragons before joining the Scarlets in 2009, attacked the region after the departure of Dan Lydiate at the end of the season was officially confirmed.

Wales’ talented blindside flanker Lydiate, the Six Nations’ player of the tournament after last season’s Grand Slam triumph, is being heavily linked with a move to French glamour club Racing Métro.

Back rower Evans, 25, believes Thomas’ views were unnecessary.

“I’m good friends with Rhys – he’s a good guy and he’s a typical South African where he’s very brutally honest if anything,” he said. “He’s stated some opinions which are a bit disappointing really. To be honest, I think he should have kept them to himself.”

But Evans added that Thomas’ sentiments were water off a duck’s back to him.

“I don’t read the papers to be honest and I prefer to concentrate on training and improving myself and the team and let that do the talking rather than anything else,” he said.

Looking ahead to Boxing Day’s big derby clash away at Cardiff Blues, Evans is glad to have Toby Faletau back in Dragons ranks after his absence with Wales during their ill-fated autumn campaign.

The number eight came on as a replacement in the region’s 53-3 victory over Mogliano in the Amlin Challenge Cup last week but is due to make his first regional start since the 46-19 battering at the hands of Ulster at Rodney Parade in October.

“I can see he is hungry to get out there and play against his old mate Sam Warburton,” Evans said.

“It’s great to have his calibre of player in the environment – to have Toby Faletau carry the ball for you like he does on the international scene is fantastic for us.

“It’s something the Dragons need really, that go-forward.”