Simon Easterby says he relishes the challenges at Stradey Park

The 29-year-old Ireland international flanker has been at Llanelli since 1999, making 109 senior appearances.

"We've had our work cut out this year, but we're a strong squad and I'm looking forward to the challenges of next season," said Easterby.

Meanwhile, the Scarlets confirmed that they have turned down an approach from Toulouse for Mark Taylor and that prop Dave Hewett has joined Edinburgh.

Toulouse were keen on signing 32-year-old Wales and Lions centre Taylor until the end of the season.

We wish Dave every success in the future Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher Edinburgh sign Hewett

The French side need to to boost a squad suffering from the injury-enforced absences of Xavier Garbajosa and Nicolas Jeanjean, whilst Wales skipper Gareth Thomas broke his thumb in the Six Nations win over France last weekend.

But Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher told BBC Sport Wales that it was not in the interests of his side to release Taylor.

Former All Black prop Hewett will not be rejoining the Scarlets and has taken up a contract with Edinburgh.

The 33-year-old, 24-cap man came to Stradey Park in November.

He was due to return to New Zealand at the end of January to play for the Canterbury Crusaders in the Super 12, before returning to Llanelli in time for next season.

Instead, he has taken up a contract with Edinburgh, Gallacher saying: "We wish Dave every success in the future."