Elias to miss Scarlets derby against Dragons
Scarlets hope hooker Ryan Elias will recover from a neck injury and play some part in the conclusion of their European Challenge Cup pool campaign next month.
Head coach Dwayne Peel says Elias will not be available for the United Rugby Championship (URC) derby against Dragons in Llanelli on 1 January.
"He is getting there slowly," said Peel.
"I don't think he will be right for New Year's Day but he has been part of what we are doing.
"Until he gets some strength back, we will not be risking him in that area.
"He is a big loss because he is a big leader and player for us and we are looking forward to getting him back."
Peel hopes Elias will play a part in either the Challenge Cup trip to face Gloucester on 10 January or the home match against Vannes eight days later.
Wales wing Blair Murray is back in contention to face Dragons after missing the Scarlets' last-gasp derby defeat against Ospreys because of a hamstring problem.
Wales hooker concerns
Wales have hooker injury concerns with captain Dewi Lake in danger of missing the 2025 Six Nations tournament because of a bicep injury.
Elias, 29, has not played since coming on as a Scarlets replacement in the URC defeat to Glasgow at the end of November.
He came off the bench for Lake in Wales' three autumn international defeats against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland names his Six Nations squad in mid-January with the tournament opener against France in Paris on 31 January.
Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd, who scored the winning try against Dragons in the derby win on 26 December, was also part of the Wales squad in November.
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee made his first appearance of the season in the same game at Rodney Parade after recovering from an ankle problem.
