It has been a year of milestones for Scarlets and Wales hooker Ryan Elias.

First, there was winning his 50th international cap against Argentina in San Juan in July, coming off the bench in the 35-21 defeat.

Now this weekend, Elias will become a member of the Scarlets’ exclusive 200 club when he leads the side out against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC) opener in Llanelli on Saturday (19:45 BST).

The 31-year-old reaches a double century of appearances for his boyhood side after making his Scarlets debut in 2014.

“I’m unbelievably proud,” said Elias.

“I would have dreamed of having one game, let alone 200, so to sustain performances in the jersey for so long is special.”

Elias has charted the journey from Ken Owens’ deputy to seasoned performer.

“I remember being a young boy and seeing some of my older mates reach the milestone like Aaron Shingler, Gareth Davies, Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies,” said Elias.

“I remember when I was young I would be frustrated because I was the young boy sat behind Ken [Owens]. I was getting 10 or 15 minutes off the bench and I’d be frustrated because I wanted to kick on.

“I remember Cubby [former Scarlets and Wales flanker James Davies] used to say we should be thankful because with the longevity in the game, you’ll be having these years back at the end.

“Whether he’s right, I don’t know, it’s yet to be seen.”

That said, Elias does believe his best days could well be ahead of him.

“Hopefully there’s a few more left in there as well,” he added.

“I feel maybe I’m only now coming into my peak.”

Elias came through a rough patch in 2024 where he was rested from a Wales tour after admitting he had fallen out of love with the game.

“I was happy with the season just gone and pleased to be back in the picture with Wales,” the hooker reflected.

“I’m at a different stage in my life now. I’m 31 and I’ve got two kids, so the perspective changes a bit.

“I probably don’t put as much pressure on myself as I did in my younger years which allows me then to enjoy the game a bit more.

“If I’m enjoying it more and playing better stuff, it goes hand in hand, so I think having kids has probably helped me.

“I’ve got more to give to the Scarlets and Wales, especially in terms of leadership as one of the senior guys now.”

Elias has been rewarded with the Scarlets vice-captaincy role this season as he looks to assist skipper Josh Macleod.

“It’s cool for me to be doing it behind Josh, someone I respect and I’ve come through the academy with,” said Elias.

“If and when I’m called upon and I can take any pressure off Josh, I’ll be doing so.”

Elias will be hoping to help transform Scarlets’ this season, after a disappointing 14th place finish in the URC in 2025-26.

“We’ve made good signings in the off-season and some are still to come in,” said Elias.

“They’ve added to the group because you look at the age of the squad it is quite young.”

Elias feels the Scarlets have benefitted from the permanent appointment of director of rugby Nigel Davies who has been installed to help head coach Dwayne Peel.

“It’s good because he takes a step back and he’s overseeing everything,” said Elias.

“So it’s interesting whenever he comes in and addresses the group, everyone listens and he commands the room.

“It’s good for us as players, but particularly the younger guys with some of the messaging, the stuff he’s come out with they won’t have heard before.

“Sometimes it is just talking about the passion and emotion of what it means to be a Scarlet. He’s good at driving and bringing that out of players.”

The west Wales side start the season at home in a Welsh derby against Cardiff on Saturday night with Elias saying his side are still smarting from defeat in Llanelli in April.

“We feel we owe them one from last year,” said Elias.

“We controlled the home game for large parts but they came back strong and it highlights the importance of the 80-minute match.”