Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
Often referred to as the heartbeat of the pack, the hooker position is vital to the work of a rugby team.
From lineouts to scrums, they are involved in everything and are the anchor of the pack. There were many prostitutes in Wales.
Players such as Matthew Rees, Ken Owens and Richard Hibbard have all achieved remarkable achievements in the number 2 jersey.
There are many promising talents occupying the position today, and many of these players have earned their opportunities on the international stage.
One name Warren Gatland should give a chance to is Cardiff captain Liam Belcher, who has produced a number of phenomenal performances at the Arms Park.
Belcher looks like a fantastic, consistent talent who deserves his opportunity on the international stage. After returning from injury, he plans to make a statement about the future.
Liam Belcher
Treorchy is where Belcher’s rugby journey began as he progressed through the junior ranks at the club.
Like many of the players in the current Cardiff squad, the hooker came through the club’s academy and stayed at Wales Under-20 level.
In 2014, Belcher took the field with Cardiff for the first time against the Scarlets in the LV= Cup, where his side won.
As well as Cardiff, Belcher also spent time at Rodney Parade with the Dragons. The 28-year-old returned to the capital later that year and hasn’t looked back since.
He is having an incredible season, which has resulted in him winning the Peter Thomas Player of the Year award.
Belcher has many desirable traits in Warren Gatland. The Welshman is an absolute workhorse, a dynamic ball carrier, a fierce tackler and has excellent ball handling skills.
His statistics at URC perfectly highlight his strengths as Belcher made 174 tackles, the most in the competition, with a success rate of 92%.
Along with this, the Welshman won nine games throughout the season. But what the Wales manager will be most pleased with is that Cardiff are winning a lot of lineouts when they throw the ball.
Belcher has quality in his game and has done enough to earn the opportunity to don the famous red jersey.
other players on the field
There are a lot of impressive players in Wales at the moment.
The first name that comes to mind is Dewi Lake. He always makes his presence felt every time he steps on the pitch.
He is such an integral part of the leadership core of a young Wales team that it will be difficult for anyone to take his starting job.
Ospreys players also bring a huge amount of physicality to the game, something Wales particularly need.
In Llanelli you can find Ryan Elias, who has been around the Wales set-up for a number of years.
One of the advantages Elias brings is scrumming, but his lineout win percentage is not as high as his fellow hookers.
Belcher’s team-mate Evan Lloyd was given his chance in Wales.
However, the young Welshman will need time to develop and grow as a competitor. However, he appears to be held in high esteem at Gatland and Co. Elliot Dee from the Dragons is a brilliant player and has been a very dependable player for Wales for many years.
At the time, Belcher was one of Wales’ best players. What else does he have to prove?
What he can bring to Wales
Belcher will have a lot to offer the Welsh team’s rebuild after the 2023 World Cup.
As previously mentioned, Belcher can bring a lot of skills to the national team. He’s great around the park and clinical at the lineout.
Belcher has a lot of experience in leadership roles, especially now as club captain.
He can provide a steady head to an inexperienced Wales side in key situations. Belcher has shown that he can perform well in big games and handle pressure well.
If Lake has an incredible season with the Ospreys and Wales, he could fly to Australia with the British and Irish Lions.
Wales are due to travel to Japan in the summer, which may be when Belcher makes his mark on the international scene.
At 28, Belcher is in his prime and his chance in Wales should come sooner rather than later. Wales are looking for promising talent as they move towards 2027.
He is the type of player that will resonate with the country. He is strong and resilient. It would be fantastic to see him in a Wales shirt.
Read more: Could Jarrod Evans be Wales’ answer at flyhalf?
