LLANELLI Scarlets made a determined bid to prize Tevita Taumoepeau away from Sixways but the Tongan prop instead opted to sign a new two-year deal with Worcester Warriors.

As well as the Welsh region, some of European rugby's biggest names also enquired about signing the six-foot, 18 stone-plus front row man, who moved to Worcester from French side Bourgoin during the summer of 2005.

Taumoepeau, who has 29 caps for his country, will now remain at the Guinness Premiership club until at least 2010.

The 33-year-old signed a two-year contract extension in 2006 and has now been rewarded for another eye-catching season with a new deal by director of rugby Mike Ruddock.

"There was a lot of interest in securing Tevita's services for next season and beyond but thankfully he has decided to commit his future to Warriors," said Ruddock.

"Tevita has had a good season figuring in the majority of our matches so far. Overall he has been rock solid in the scrum and he has improved his contribution all over the field throughout the course of this season.

"Tevita is a well-respected, highly-valued and popular member of the squad and we are very pleased that he continues to be a Warrior."

The prop made his debut in Worcester colours against former club Northampton Saints in the Powergen Cup in 2005 and has been an ultra-consistent member of the squad throughout Worcester's league and cup campaigns.

Taumoepeau, affectionately known as Audi or Dave to his army of supporters, has made 69 appearances for Warriors, scoring one try, and has made 19 starts this season.

Meanwhile, Warriors have confirmed that Shane Drahm, Gavin Quinnell and Uche Oduoza have been loaned to National Division One clubs.

Drahm, who will leave Warriors at the end of the season to join Kubota Spears in Japan, and Quinnell have both joined Launceston.

Fly-half Drahm is expected to make his debut this weekend for the club but Quinnell is ruled out with a knee injury.

Pertemps Bees have secured the services of Oduoza, who recently returned to Sixways after featuring for England Sevens.

All three players can be recalled from the loan spells at any time by Warriors under new RFU regulations.