Ryan Elias is relishing another west Wales derby as Scarlets and Ospreys lock horns for the first time in Bridgend on Saturday (17:30 ko).
The Electric Brewery Field will be the venue for the BKT United Rugby Championship round 17 tie and although both sides are out of the ‘Race for the Eight’ play-off battle, there is always plenty to play for when these two rivals clash.
“It is massive, we feel we owe ourselves and the fans a fair bit,” said the Wales international hooker. “There is no bigger game for me personally; it is special, it is bragging rights for players and auditions for Wales honours as well. There is a lot riding on it. We also understand how much it means to our supporters.”
Ryan added: “It is a good chance to end the season on a high and kick on for next season.
“It is obviously a big day for the Ospreys with the likes of Jac saying goodbye and we have touched on that and understand their motivations, but it is just as important to concentrate on ourselves and our gameplan. Prep has gone well.
“We are going in on the back of two home games (Cardiff and Bulls) that we could and should have won in our minds and we have addressed the issues why we didn’t. But it is important to focus on what we did well, you don’t come up against many bigger packs than the Bulls and we pushed them and a good Cardiff side all the way. Now it is about taking the confidence from both those games and implementing them this weekend against the Ospreys.”
The 31-year-old, who is closing in on 200 appearances for the club, has been one of the Scarlets’ standout players this season, producing a string of consistent performers after returning from a bicep injury that kept him sidelined for the opening block of matches.
“I am feeling good mentally and physically, I have enjoyed the season for the club and with Wales,” he added. “It is nice to be over a couple of injuries, I feel like I am enjoying my rugby and when you are enjoying your rugby everything comes a whole lot easier.
“There was definitely a low period in my rugby where I definitely didn’t enjoy it, probably two seasons ago, but I boiled things back; I remember having a conversation with Peely about how I wanted to get back to basics and sat down and built a plan on how I was going to do that.
“I think it’s important to have those periods to appreciate the good times, and hopefully there are some good times to come over the next couple of seasons.”
Ryan also paid tribute to fellow hooker Marnus van der Merwe, who is joining Munster after two impressive seasons in Llanelli.
“He’s been great for us and great for me,” added Ryan. “When Marnus arrived and was playing really well, I was injured at the time and I thought, ‘who have we signed here?’ I have been scrapping for years trying to get the No. 2 jersey off some great hookers and then they bring Marnus in!!!
“Seriously, though, he has been brilliant for us and has gone on to represent South Africa during his time here. We have pushed each other hard, which can only be good for the club and it has helped bring the best out of me as well. He has been a great addition, will be a big loss and I’m looking forward to going up against him when we play Munster next season.”