Sililo Martens will bring strength and experience to the Scarlets' squad

Llanelli Scarlets have announced the double summer signing of two top-flight players from the Guinness Premiership.

Tongan half-back Sililo Martens, 30, who has played for Swansea, Bridgend and Celtic Warriors, moves back to Wales from Sale Sharks.

Martens is set to replace Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel who is moving in the other direction.

Ruthin-born centre Rob Higgitt, 26, is the other new arrival at Stradey Park after he agreed a switch from Bristol.

Auckland-born Martens has played for Sale since 2004 and is an experienced international with 27 caps for Tonga after opting to represent his mother's country.

"With everything that is happening off the pitch with the Scarlets at the moment, this is an exciting time to be part of the region's future plans," said Martens.

"I would like to wish Dwayne Peel all the best in his move to Sale. I know I've got huge boots to fill at the Scarlets but anyone that knows me will know that I am always up for a challenge."

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Higgitt is the highest capped centre in Bristol's league history having played 107 games for the club and carved out a reputation there as a tough-tackling defensive organiser.

"The move to the Scarlets is an exciting time for me," said Higgitt. "This is a great opportunity for me as there are some big name players with the Scarlets.

"It's going to be tough just getting in the side such is the competition for places but I am looking forward to the challenge."

Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher said the pair will reinforce the strength in depth of the squad and bring invaluable experience from their time playing in the English Premiership.

"We have been looking for a scrum-half in particular because of Dwayne Peel's decision to ply his trade elsewhere," he explained. "We felt Sililo Martens was the one for us.

"He's vastly experienced, he'll suit our style, he's very strong defensively and will be a big plus to the squad.

Ruthin-born Higgitt is renowned as a tough-tackling centre

"Rob is a guy we've been tracking all season. He's a very, very, strong, dependable, centre three-quarter.

"He's been very important in Bristol's performances this year and they were keen to re-sign him but we're delighted that he's decided to throw in his lot with us."

Gallacher hinted that there were more signings to come with the club currently talking to three top players in the hope of bringing them to Wales.

"We are talking to two or three players of international standing and hoping that we can encourage at least two of them to come and join us for next season," he explained.

"We're doing our damnedest to try and encourage them to come to the Scarlets.

"I'm very optimistic and hopefully we'll have some more positive news on recruitment within the next two or three weeks."