Scarlets Hooker Ryan Elias Expects Intense Pressure for Wales Squad Selection at Judgement Day
Upcoming Squad Announcement Looms Large
With the Wales national team’s squad announcement looming just days after the Judgement Day fixtures, Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias believes the players vying for a spot will feel the weight of the impending selection decision.
“Most players would say they feel that pressure because you know the squad is going to be announced a couple of days later,” explained Elias. “You know it’s your last audition to put your best foot forward to be named in the squad.”
Fierce Competition for Wales Hooker Role
The Welsh regional double-header, set to take place on June 1st at the Cardiff City Stadium, comes just 48 hours before Wales head coach Warren Gatland names his squad for the upcoming test against South Africa at Twickenham on June 22nd and the tour of Australia in July.
Elias will go head-to-head with Wales rival Elliot Dee when Scarlets face Dragons in the opening Judgement Day match, before Ospreys take on Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash.
Dee currently holds the Wales starting hooker role, having featured in the last four Six Nations matches after Elias started the tournament opener. With Dewi Lake also returning to fitness, the competition for the national number two jersey is heating up.
“Elliot is a very good friend of mine,” said Elias. “In camps together, we are kind of drawn to each other. We go through the same things, feel the same sort of pressures and confide in each other. He’s a good mate. But we won’t hold any punches when it comes to game time. We enjoy getting stuck into each other.”
🔗 Source
