Cardiff captain Belcher out of Wales summer gamesImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Hooker Liam Belcher made his Wales international debut against Japan in July 2025Published6 minutes agoCardiff hooker Liam Belcher has been ruled out of Wales’ summer matches because of a neck injury.Belcher, 30, was one of four hookers in the original squad named by head coach Steve Tandy alongside Cardiff club-mate Evan Lloyd, Scarlets front rower Ryan Elias and captain Dewi Lake.
Wales say Belcher suffered the injury during Cardiff’s United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final play-off defeat against Stormers at the end of May and he has failed to recover in time.
No replacement has been revealed with Dragons duo Brodie Coghlan and Elliott Dee, who will line up for the Barbarians against Wales this weekend, as potential options.
Cardiff captain Belcher is the third player to pull out of the summer series following injuries to Bath back Louie Hennessey and tight-head prop Keiron Assiratti.
Wales play Barbarians in a uncapped match at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday before three Nations Championship matches against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July.
Head coach Steve Tandy will reduce his squad after the Barbarians match for World Rugby’s new tournament.
