WALES STAR’S FUTURE SEALED

WALES hooker Ryan Elias has signed a new contract with the Scarlets, becoming the region’s first player to publicly declare he is staying on board for next season.

He had been linked with a move away, but he will now stay in Llanelli after being the subject of interest from several top French clubs and at least one Gallagher Premiership side.

The 28-year-old academy product, who made his Scarlets debut in 2013, is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury which ruled him out of the 2023 Six Nations but should be fit for next season.

Elias said: “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.”

As for his injury, he said: “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.”