Liam Belcher: Hooker fighting for Cardiff start before thinking of Wales

All five of his Test appearances have been off the bench and he will look to feature against Barbarians, Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in June and July.

With Wales sweating on the availability of the injured Lake, Belcher is a contender along with Elias, fit-again Elliot Dee, Brodie Coghlan and clubmate Evan Lloyd.

“Everyone is playing well but there is also a hell of a battle here at Cardiff between me, Daf Hughes and Evan, while Tom Howe went really well for Wales Under-20s,” said Belcher.

“My main focus is on performing for Cardiff because if I don’t then there are very good players chomping at the bit.”

Of those rivals, physical teenager Howe is yet to make his senior debut but is already catching the eye.

“He was one of the shining lights for Wales Under-20s and if he keeps his head down and keeps doing what he is doing then he has a massive future,” said Belcher.

“It’s great to see a Cardiff boy doing what he did and he seems to be very down to earth. He is new to our environment but is a nice kid.”