Cardiff Rugby hooker Liam Belcher is one of six uncapped players in the Wales senior men’s squad for the two-Test series this summer.
He sat down with teammate Alex Mann to discuss his call-up, how he’s been enjoying life in camp and who in camp he is taller than…
Mann: So Belch, first call up. Where were you when you found out and who did you tell?
Belcher: Probably in bed, I think to be honest. We had a long travel back from South Africa, so I was a bit rough after that. The first person I told then was my old girl. I just sent her the squad announcement thing. I don’t think she realised until about four hours after. She just thought I just sent her a photo of something random. So that was quite funny.
Mann: How’s the first week of camp been?
Belcher: Yeah, it’s been good. Obviously been some tough training. Good intensity, etcetera. You’ll have seen some videos being sent out about the heat chamber we’ve been in. Last Friday was a tough one. But yeah, just enjoying it. Enjoying meeting new boys. Just enjoying being here to be honest.
Mann: If you got a chance to play how much would it mean to you? It’s been a long time coming.
Belcher: Hopefully I get the opportunity. It would mean a lot probably, more so probably to my family and people who’ve helped me along the way I guess in that pathway. Like you’ve been there yourself, you’ve had that day and you know what it’s like for all your family and you’ve seen the emotions that it probably brings them. So hopefully I train well and hopefully it puts myself in a good position to achieve that.
Mann: How’re you finding being coached by bomb [Adam Jones]?
Belcher: Yeah, he’s a good bloke first and foremost isn’t he. And then he’s just like really positive and full of good energy. And I think technically he’s good around the set piece and scrum-wise.
Mann: Going to Japan, what are you looking to achieve individually and as a collective as a team going out there for big two Tests?
Belcher: I think as a team obviously the aim is to win and then individually also enjoy Japan, enjoy meeting new boys, spend a lot of time with each other. Rugby wise it would be nice to play a game.
Mann: So Liam, I’ve got a few questions for you myself. The first one is, who is taller – Liam Belcher or Matt Sherratt?
Belcher: That’s actually me. I think the shortest on tour at the moment is actually Danny Wilson. I think he’s just approaching five foot two.
Both: Laughing
Mann: Two, what is tighter. Liam Belcher or cramp?
Both: Laughing
Belcher: It’s touch and go, but I’ll take credit for that.
Mann: Cheers Belch boy, thanks for the chat.
Belch: Cheers butt.