Fenby and Manu sign-up to new contracts with Scarlets

Thirty one year-old tighthead Prop Manu, who was born in New Zealand to Fijian parents has had an outstanding season with the region and continues to play a major role in the front row alongside experienced Scarlets campaigners such as Iestyn Thomas and Matthew Rees. He will play his 100th game with the Scarlets this Sunday afternoon in the Magners League against Connacht.

Retaining his level of experience and calibre will be a boost to the Scarlets as the region looks forward to next season and with it the chance to bring to fruition the true potential within the West Wales rugby region.

The front row powerhouse has continued to make an impact at Parc y Scarlets and has settled into life in Llanelli with his young family over the past four years. He said he was delighted with the new Scarlets contract and says he looks forward to playing his part in squad over the next two years.

He joined the Scarlets in 2006 from Kiwi Super 12 club Waikato Chiefs.

He said: "We all know there is a lot more that we can do as a team and the next two years will be an exciting and motivating time to be part of the Scarlets set-up. It is a strength that this squad has a such great mix of experience and youth talent and the team spirit amongst the guys is really strong.

"The big thing is as a group we have had a lot of game time together this season and this will only push us forward next season in terms of results.

"I am really enjoying my rugby here and the family is really happy and settled so it's been great to secure the next two seasons with the Scarlets."

North Walian Andy Fenby, who hails from Colwyn Bay has emerged as a cult figure at the Scarlets this season with some sparkling performances on the wing. The popular and bright 24-year-old, who is a qualified accountant - put his career on hold to take up the "dream opportunity" of a year's trial this season with the region. And he has now earnt himself a new two-year contract with the Scarlets.

The tenacious young winger, who has made 19 appearances and scored 15 points for the region, came from Newcastle Falcons. He debuted for the Scarlets against Harlequins in November and since then has had a big season with the region.
He said: "This is great news for me to secure two more years with the region. I realised how lucky I was to be given this opportunity and I have had a great taste of rugby now and I don't want to give it up - I just want to improve.

"I have thrown everything into this season and while I know I still have a lot to work on, it has been great experience and I continue to want to prove myself and become a respected member of the team."

Head Coach Nigel Davies said: "Both these players are important to our squad going forward, Deacon is a very experienced player and Andy has a huge future ahead of him and already showing that he will be a great Scarlet in terms of his ambition and energy.

"This adds to the list of players who we have already secured going forward, players like Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and Iestyn Thomas who will be the corner stones of this group over the next couple of seasons, plus young talent like Ken Owens and Daniel Evans. With that experience and ability in this squad, it will only grow and strengthen.

"We are not going to detract from of what we are doing - it is the way forward for the Scarlets, we are accelerating the growth of this squad and we have seen promising glimpses of it this year and we believe we will see more next season."