New Scarlets coach Simon Easterby played over 200 times for the club and was captain for five seasons © Getty Images

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New Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby has promised to stay true to the team's attacking principles next season.

Easterby took over as head coach after Nigel Davies left to take up the position of director of rugby at Gloucester. In recent years the Scarlets have established a well-earned reputation for attacking flair which young players such as Rhys Priestland, George North and Jonathan Davies have revelled in and Easterby wants to maintain that open style of play.

"I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to take rugby forward as Scarlets Head Coach, it is a real honour and privilege for me," Easterby said. "The values instilled deep within the Scarlets have been in place for almost 140 years, so like Nigel and Gareth (Jenkins) before me I will ensure we never lose sight of who we are as well as putting my own stamp on our ambitions and our game. Hopefully with the history I have here with our club, we move forward with real excitement while keeping that Scarlets culture right in the heart of what we do."

The former Ireland and Lions flanker has been able to hold onto the core of his team and aims to build on the likes of North and Priestland to end the club's wait for some silverware. He has been at the club since 1999 and played over 200 times for them.

Easterby will be assisted by newly appointed forwards coach Danny Wilson, backs coach Mark Jones and conditioning coach Brad Harringon.

"There is plenty within the coaching and playing group to take us to where this club belongs, competing at the top end of the European game and achieving honours in the domestic game," he said. "It's an exciting prospect when you look at the players we have here. We've achieved a lot over the past couple of seasons developing some fantastic talent, playing some great rugby along the way but ultimately we haven't won any silverware."