LLANELLI SCARLETS have announced the signing of Australian star David Lyons on a four-year contract. New South Wales Waratahs number eight Lyons has won 43 caps for Australia and played in two World Cup campaigns. Confirmation of his move to Stradey Park comes just two days after the Scarlets sacked their rugby director, Phil Davies.

Davies, along with Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher, recently returned from a scouting mission to Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand prop Greg Somerville is another Llanelli target who could agree terms in the near future.

His arrival means the Scarlets' Wales backrow Alix Popham has been freed to join England World Cup winners Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson at French club Brive.