Liam Belcher: Wales hooker relieved to return to Cardiff after ‘scary’ nerve problem.

Belcher made his debut for Wales against Japan in the summer and came off the bench for the first two international matches in the autumn.

He then missed tests against New Zealand and South Africa as well as the start of the European Challenge Cup campaign in Cardiff.

“She had three neck injuries in the space of three weeks and then what happened was she just got into the Japan game,” he said.

“I couldn’t feel my little finger and then it got worse the week of the All Blacks game, my whole hand was numb and then it got to my triceps.

“Maybe after a week I lost strength in my triceps, then my grip.”

Belcher made a quick return thanks to the efforts of the Cardiff and Wales medical teams.

“They were great and gave me the confidence to come back,” he said.

“It was a waiting game and fortunately it took four weeks, because in some cases it can take longer.”

Belcher will be hoping for a strong performance against the Dragons at the Arms Park on December 26 and versus the Ospreys in Bridgend on New Year’s Day.

Wales coach Steve Tandy also has skipper Dewey Lake, Ryan Elias, Brodie Coughlan and Ivan Lloyd as options in the heart of the front row.