Wales hooker Ryan Elias pens new contract

Scarlets have announced that Ryan Elias has signed a new contract with the club. The 28-year-old hooker is a Wales international and has played 33 Test matches for his country.

The 112kg front rower is a product of the Scarlets Academy and made his debut for the club in a 2013 Anglo-Welsh Cup tie against Saracens. Since then, he has become a key player for the Scarlets, playing in 151 matches and captaining the team.

Elias was part of the Scarlets team that won the Guinness PRO12 trophy in Dublin in 2017, and he was first capped for Wales that same summer, in a match against Tonga. He went on to represent Wales at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where he was part of Warren Gatland’s squad.

The Scarlets are delighted to have Elias back on board and see him as a vital player in the team for the coming seasons. As one of the squad’s senior internationals, Elias brings experience and leadership to the team, and his re-signing is a massive boost for the club.

Speaking about his new contract, Elias said, “I’m thrilled to be staying with the Scarlets. This is my home club, and I’m excited to be part of the team’s plans for the future. We’ve got a great group of players and coaches here, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Elias said: “Being a Carmarthen boy this is a club I grew up watching so it’s very special to me and my family. I came through the academy and have been here a decade now as a player. I’m chuffed to have signed a new contract and am looking forward to continuing my journey.

“At the age of 28 I feel I am coming into my prime, so on a personal level I am excited about what the next couple of years holds for me.”

Currently recovering from an Achilles injury, Elias added: “It has been frustrating having to miss out on the second half of the season and, in particular, this run in the Challenge Cup, but it has been brilliant to see us take some big scalps and it shows the talent and potential we have in the squad.

“A lot of young players are at the start of their careers and are putting their hands up in big games which is great for the future of the club. It is an exciting time to be involved here.

“Hopefully, it won’t be long before I’m back getting my teeth into the rugby again ahead of the new season.”

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Ryan has developed into one of our leaders and is a strong voice in the group; he is a player with a superb work ethic on and off the pitch

“He has been in the professional game for a decade now, but he is still only 28 and is a player who has a lot more to offer for the Scarlets and at international level.

“It’s fantastic he has signed a new contract with the club and I’d also like to thank him for the professionalism he has shown throughout this process.”