Cardiff Rugby have announced that captain Liam Belcher has signed a new contract at the club.

Belcher has been a key part of an excellent season at the Cardiff Arms Park, earning call-ups to the Wales squads for the Six Nations and this summer’s upcoming matches.

He follows the likes of fellow Wales internationals James Botham, Alex Mann, Mason Grady and Josh Adams in agreeing fresh terms under head coach Corniel van Zyl.

“I am enormously grateful to sign this new contract and continue playing for my home region,” Belcher said.

“I have a huge amount of pride in representing Cardiff and the wider area we represent.

“I came through the system here so it means a lot to me. It is a great group that we have at the moment and some of my best mates are here.

“We have made some good progress this season and we want to continue that development both on and off the pitch. I want to play my part in that and I am excited to see where we can get to.

“Playing at the Arms Park is also special. The home support has been incredible again this year and we want to finish the current campaign on a high before pushing forward.”

Belcher came through the Cardiff academy, making 108 appearances for the club to date, over two spells.

He has captained the club since 2024, was named the 2023-24 Peter Thomas Player of the Season and made his Wales debut in the summer of 2025.

“I’m really happy that Liam will remain at Cardiff and be a key part of what we want to achieve as a club moving forward,” van Zyl added.

“He is a top-quality hooker, who is technically very sound and has a very big work rate. I’ve started calling him the badger because he’s as tough as a badger, has a never-say-die attitude and is aggressive in his approach.

“But also away from his playing attributes, he’s a really good team man, who is a key figure for us.

“He’s a big part of our leadership group and obviously captains the team. He is diligent in everything he does as a player from how he wants to improve himself to the collective group. He works incredibly hard on a day-to-day basis and is a great example to anyone else at the club.

“So he is a good leader, a good player and a great professional. He’s come through the pathway here and worked very hard to get where he is, going away for a year, coming back and kicking on. I am excited to see what level Liam can reach next.”

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