21 Contract extensions for Scarlets

Head Coach Nigel Davies said: "It was crucial and a key objective for our future rugby ambitions and goals to have retained such a strong core of players at Parc y Scarlets and is a hugely positive step for us next season and beyond.

"We're delighted to have retained a number of key impact players who are committed for the forthcoming seasons to the Scarlets, our style of rugby and our identity and culture.

"It underpins the investment and progress that is being made in development of great Welsh talent from within our region and comes just two days after we fielded an all Wales starting XV on Sunday against Treviso.

"Our philosophy of putting our belief and faith in young rugby players discovered, nurtured and developed from within our own system, has shown itself to be of value and purpose. This season we've already seen an increasing number of our Scarlets picked for international duty. A total of 29 of our players were on international duty at U18, U20 and senior Wales levels during the Six Nations - a source of real pride for all those working within our region and supporting us."

"When we then add the leadership and experience of our senior players with Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees, Sean Lamont, Iestyn Thomas and others providing guidance and vision and mentoring a young group of players, I'm confident that we're building a good balance within the squad. The mix of youth and experience with the coaching set-up we have, just adds energy and makes our rugby environment competitive and dynamic."

The impressive list of talented players have committed themselves to the Scarlets shirt on two and three year contracts for the coming seasons are: Aaron Shingler, Ben Morgan, Damian Welch, Dan Newton, Emyr Phillips, Morgan Stoddart, Peter Edwards, Phil John, Dale Ford (development contract), Gareth Maule, Johnathan Edwards, Kirby Myhill (development contract), Scott Williams, Rob McCusker, Tavis Knoyle, Aled Davies, George North, Jordan Williams (development contract), Josh Turnbull, Rhodri Jones (development contract), Rhys Priestland.