Ryan Elias: Wales hooker benefits from summer break before autumn
The break also allowed Elias to reflect on the pressures of international rugby.
“It definitely has its moments but they are also enjoyable, which is what I lost sight of for a while,” said Elias.
“As you get older you start to realise how important it is to enjoy the process at the same time, even though it may be difficult.”
Elias made his senior Wales debut as a replacement against Tonga aged 22 in 2017, having started his Scarlets career four years earlier.
“I’m 29 now, nearly 30 and it feels like in the blink of an eye I’ve gone from being that 21-year-old. It’s like, where have those years gone?
“Another click of the fingers and my career will be done and I don’t want to be looking back with regrets, or wondering whether I should have enjoyed things more.
“That’s something I’m concentrating on now also.”
The Carmarthen-born hooker has seen those external pressures grow over his decade in rugby.
“The social media side of things is a lot bigger now, everyone seems to be on there and got something to say,” said Elias.
“I’m not on any social media now, probably for the last couple of years and that is something I’ve done myself.
“I feel a lot more productive being off it and most of the stuff you read, good or bad, it makes no difference to me.
“I know if I’ve had a good or a bad game. The coaches and people, who are important, know, so I wouldn’t need to hear it from anywhere else.”
