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Scott Williams has given Wales and the Scarlets a massive boost by signing a bumper new contract to remain with the Guinness Pro12 table-toppers.

The 25-year-old had been on a National Dual Contract and been the target of an audacious attempt by the Ospreys to prise them away from their west Wales neighbours.

Scarlets.

Williams was at the centre of a tug-of-war for his services between the Scarlets, Osprey, the Welsh Rugby Union and at least two English clubs for his prized services.

Ospreys had raised the bar when they offered the midfield ace, who is on the long-term injured list after hurting a knee during the World Cup, a pay deal worth £80,000 more than he had been offered to extend his dual contract, which expires next summer, with the WRU and the Scarlets.

More:Scarlets suffer injury crisis ahead of European Champions Cup

That prompted a bidding war with the Scarlets being prepared to go it alone to keep Williams by matching the salary the Ospreys was offering.

The WRU refused to be drawn into it and withdrew its offer of a new NDC to Williams. Wales coach Warren Gatland and the WRU hierachy were unhappy with what they saw as a lack of consultation over the regional deals offered to the player.

So Williams has signed an exclusive deal with the Scarlets which should keep him with the Llanelli-based region until the summer of 2018.

He said: “I’m delighted to have signed a contract extension with the Scarlets. I have always been a big supporter of the club and it is exciting to know that I will be able to continue my development here at the region.

“There’s a great atmosphere at Parc y Scarlets and there’s a real sense that there are exciting times on the horizon and I’m looking forward to being a part of that on the field once I return from injury.

“Continuing with my rugby development in Wales was vitally important to me to continue with my international aspirations. I’d like to thank the Scarlets board and back-room staff who have been supportive throughout the negotiations.”

Williams is expected to form a formidable midfield trio with Lions and Wales star Jonathan Davies, who is returning to the Scarlets from French Championship leaders Clermont Auvergne at the end of the campaign, and seemingly Scarlets-bound Cardiff Blues outside-half Rhys Patchell.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said: “Scott is a fantastic guy and is a Scarlet through and through.

“It is disappointing that he’s currently out with an injury but securing Scott’s signature, and keeping him here at the Scarlets, was important for our continued development over the next few years.

“Having him and Jonathan in the centre next season is going to be very exciting.”

A knee injury, suffered in Wales’ Rugby World Cup victory over England, means Williams has been forced to watch the Scarlets top the Guinness Pro 12 table from the sidelines.

Since making his Scarlets debut in 2010, against the Ospreys, home-grown product Williams has scored 16 tries in 93 appearances.

“We are delighted Scott has committed his future to the Scarlets. The interest shown by other clubs is testament to his standing within the European game at the moment,” said Scarlets general manager Jon Daniels.

“However, Scott has consistently stated the environment at Parc y Scarlets is where he wants to be to further his domestic, international and British and Irish Lions ambitions.

“During the negotiations and the associated media interest he has been a model of responsibility and humility which is further testament to him, his family and his local community.”

Williams joins a strong pool of players already signed up for the 2016-17 season by the Scarlets. Others on the list include captain and hooker Ken Owens, lock Jake Ball, back-row forwards John Barclay, Aaron Shingler and James Davies, scrum-half Aled Davies, props Rob Evans and Samson Lee, and full-back or wing Liam Williams.

Wales’ World Cup scrum-half Gareth Davies, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has also said he wants to stay with the Scarlets.