Injury means Cuthbert could have bowed out
ALEX Cuthbert seems almost certain to have played his last game for Cardiff Blues after going off in agony against Pau last weekend.
The Wales and 2013 Lions wing damaged a pectoral muscle making a tackle in the second half of their sensational European Challenge Cup semi-final triumph at the Arms Park.
Cuthbert will miss Saturday’s Judgement Day Guinness PRO14 battle with the Ospreys at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
And Blues coach Danny Wilson is pessimistic about the 28-year-old Exeter Chiefs-bound finisher being fit for the May 11 Challenge Cup final with Gloucester in Bilbao in Spain’s Basque Country.
“We’re waiting for the results of some scans but it’s not looking good,” admitted Wilson.
“We’ll see what those tests say but it doesn’t look particularly healthy at the moment.
“We’re only a couple of weeks away from the final so it would be a big ask for him to make that game.”
Cuthbert will not be eligible to play for Wales while in exile because of a rule brought in by the Welsh Rugby Union this season.
Only players who have won 60 or more caps can play for Wales if they sign for a club in another country.
The decision has put Cuthbert and Toulon signing Rhys Webb off limits for Wales coach Warren Gatland in World Cup year.
Meanwhile, Wilson has revealed his role in recruitment with Cardiff Blues came to a halt even before he handed in his notice to leave the Arms Park.
“I haven’t been involved in any discussions about recruitment since then and a little bit before it,” he said
Wilson insists he made the correct decision last September to turn down the offer of a new contract despite masterminding Blues’ charge to the final of the Challenge Cup and 10 wins in their last 11 games in Europe and the Guinness PRO14.
Blues will clash with Gloucester in Bilbao, Spain on May 11 in the Challenge final after being French Top 14 club Pau in their semi-final at an electric Arms Park last weekend.
The size of the budget Wilson would have had at his disposal next season was a key factor in the former Wales Under-20 boss deciding to join former Blues boss Dai Young at English Premiership Wasps next season as forwards coach.
Meanwhile, Blues have all but given up on George North signing for them following a long, drawn out saga over his future.
It seems almost certain the centre or wing, who leaves Northampton Saints at the end of next month, will be working with Matt ‘Jockey’ Sherratt at the Ospreys next season.
For highly-rated backs coach Sherratt is leaving the Arms Park to head west with a ringing endorsement from Wilson.
“Matt has been outstanding for Cardiff Blues – I cannot speak more highly of him. He’s a fantastic attack coach who pays a huge attention to detail,” said Wilson.
“We share the same ethos and he has a very good eye tactically and technically for the type of fast and open game we are playing.”
Sherratt has also had two stints coaching with Wales during his time at the Arms Park, joining Rob Howley’s staff for the 2016 autumn internationals and being part of Robin McBryde’s management team for last year’s tour victories over Tonga and Samoa.
“He’ll be a huge loss for Cardiff Blues and a huge gain for the Ospreys,” predicted Wilson.