Cardiff have been boosted by the availability of three Wales stars ahead of Friday night’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster.

Club captain Liam Belcher and back-line duo Ben Thomas and Mason Grady have been made available for selection in the crucial Arms Park encounter.

The Blue & Blacks face the reigning champions with the race for the play-offs intensifying. Cardiff are currently four points adrift of the Dubliners, sitting in fifth place and a victory at the Arms Park would be a significant boost.

Wales’ press release read:

Wales men’s squad update

The following players have been released to their clubs and are available for selection in the Round 12 BKT United Rugby Championship matches this weekend:

• Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby) 
• Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby)
• Ben Thomas  (Cardiff Rugby) 
• Harri Deaves (Ospreys)
• Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys)
• Gareth Thomas (Ospreys)
• Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
• Josh Macleod (Scarlets)
• Tom Rogers (Scarlets)

They will rejoin Wales camp Sunday 1 March to continue preparations for the fourth round Guinness Six Nations match against Ireland (Friday 6 March, KO 8.10pm live on ITV and S4C).

In addition, Ospreys second row Rhys Davies has been released from the squad due to an ankle injury sustained in training last week.

Any further player call ups to the squad would be made following this weekend’s round of club matches.