Ryan Elias set to join Scarlets’ 200 club

Ryan Elias is preparing to mark a symbolic milestone with the Scarlets. The Wales hooker is due to lead his side out on Saturday in Llanelli against Cardiff, in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship, for his 200th appearance in the jersey.

The season forms part of a year of milestones for Elias. In July in San Juan, he won his 50th Wales cap after coming off the bench in the 35-21 defeat to Argentina. Now, having progressed from Ken Owens’ understudy to an experienced Scarlets player, he believes he can still improve.

“I would have dreamed of having one game, let alone 200. To maintain my level in this jersey for so long is something special,” Elias said. He remembers watching Aaron Shingler, Gareth Davies, Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies reach the landmark when he was younger. “Hopefully, there are a few more left in me as well,” he added, before saying: “I feel as though I am only now reaching my peak.”

Developed by the club and having made his Scarlets debut in 2014, Elias went through a more difficult period in 2024. He was rested from a Wales tour after admitting that he had fallen out of love with the game. However, he says he was pleased with the past season and happy to be back in the Wales set-up.

The player also says he approaches this stage of his career with a different perspective. The father of two says he puts less pressure on himself than he did previously, allowing him to enjoy rugby more and, in his view, play better. “I still have more to give to the Scarlets and Wales, particularly in terms of leadership now that I am one of the senior players,” he said.

That responsibility is reflected in his role as vice-captain this season alongside captain Josh Macleod. Elias, who came through the academy with him, intends to support him whenever called upon and take pressure off his captain.

The hooker also sees reasons for optimism at the Scarlets, pointing to signings made during the off-season and others still expected, within a squad he considers young. He believes the permanent appointment of Nigel Davies as director of rugby, working alongside head coach Dwayne Peel, has benefited the group. According to Elias, Davies commands the dressing room’s attention and delivers messages that younger players may not have heard before, particularly about the passion and emotion of representing the Scarlets.

The Cardiff fixture will also carry a sense of revenge. The Scarlets are still affected by their defeat in Llanelli in April: Elias believes his team controlled much of the match before the opposition comeback. “We feel we owe them one from last season,” he said, stressing the importance of lasting the full 80 minutes.