Ryan Elias may not have played since last Christmas, but he believes he will return fitter and stronger than ever before when he gets his chance in the Summer Series next month.
The Scarlets hooker had to undergo surgery on his Achilles tendon after picking up the first big injury of his career in a Welsh derby against the Ospreys on Boxing Day.
Now he hopes to be given the chance to make up for lost time when Wales host England at Principality Stadium this weekend in the first of three World Cup warm-up matches.
The 28-year-old already has 33 caps under his belt, but has the opportunity to establish himself as Wales’ top hooker with Ken Owens now out of the picture through injury. Not that he can take anything for granted with Dewi Lake, Elliot Dee and Sam Parry also in the running.
“There are three other very good hookers battling it out with myself in training every day for that spot. That’s why the two games against England and the one against the Springboks coming up are going to be so important,” said Elias.
“There will definitely be an edge this weekend – it’s a Wales England match. It doesn’t get much bigger than that for us as players and for the fans especially – it’s a huge occasion.
“Players in both teams will be fighting for spots at the World Cup, so I’d imagine it’s going to be pretty tasty.”
Having spent 10 weeks together, the Welsh squad should definitely be in peak condition. Two weeks spent at altitude in Switzerland was the first test and then they have had a week in 40 degree heat in Turkey.
Those sessions have given Elias the perfect opportunity to put his Achilles to the test and now the battle is to convince Warren Gatland he has got what it takes to make an impact at the World Cup.
“I feel I’m in a good place at the minute, physically and mentally. I’ve been pushing hard, I feel confident, and I feel the strongest I’ve ever been,” admitted Elias.
“There are always going to be nerves and some degree of anxiety at this stage because the training sessions are so competitive. Everyone wants to get picked.
“We all want a chance to prove ourselves in these warm-up matches. We’ve been through two very tough training camps and now we just want to rip into the rugby.
“Even though it’s been a lot of hard work, it has been enjoyable. When your mind is telling you ‘no’, you just have to keep plodding on, just one foot in front of the other.
“And once the session is over, you can enjoy each other’s company, get back in the team room, have a game of cards, have a laugh, and then do it all again the day after.”
