CUTHBERT SET FOR MOVE TO OSPREYS
WALES winger Alex Cuthbert is reportedly set to return to Welsh rugby next season and sign for the Ospreys. The Rugby Paper reports Cuthbert is on track to leave Exeter Chiefs this summer, potentially re-igniting his international prospects in the process.
The 31-year-old, who played 47 times for Wales, has been plagued by injuries since moving to England in 2018, managing just 28 appearances.
Cuthbert left Wales for a new start after a difficult time saw his form dip after he peaked in 2012 and 2013, earning a place on the Lions tour to Australia as a result.
He has been unable to play for Wales since his move to the Premiership because of the 60-cap rule.
But it appears the Ospreys – who look set to be without long-term injury victim George North for the first part of next season – may be about to offer him a route back into the regional game.
Meanwhile, former Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes ended his first season in Japan in style, helping Panasonic Wild Knights claim victory in the Top League final.
Parkes’ Wild Knights survived a late comeback from Suntory Sungoliath, who boast All Blacks star Beauden Barrett in their ranks, in a 31-26 win.
Barrett was at the centre of the Wild Knights’ first try, with centre Dylan Riley picking off his pass to score the opening try of the final.
Japan winger Kenki Fukuoka scored in his final match before retiring to put the Wild Knights further ahead, giving them a 23-7 lead at half-time.
A try from Japan prop Asaeli Ai Valu gave the Wild Knights a seemingly unassailable lead at the start of the second half.
But Barrett’s kicking kept Sungoliath in the hunt for their sixth Top League title, with tries from scrumhalf Naoto Saito and full-back Seiya Ozaki cutting the deficit to five points.
However, it wasn’t enough, with Parkes’ Wild Knights holding on to victory.
Parkes left Wales last year after six years at the Scarlets, which saw him qualify to play for Wales on residency and become a crucial part of Warren Gatland’s side.
■ Tim Swiel kicked a late winning penalty for the second week running as the Stormers edged out the Sharks 25-22 in a tense PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA clash in Durban.
The Sharks had opened up an early 10-0 lead after an Ox Nche try, but the Stormers hit back to lead after a brace of touchdowns from Edwill van der Merwe.
The visitors increased their advantage as Pieter-Steph Du Toit crossed early in the second half, but the Sharks were not finished.
Yaw Penxe responded and Aphele
le Fassi also went over to put the Sharks back in front.
The closing stages of a rain-hit contest were scrappy, but two penalties from Swiel proved decisive, with the replacement fly-half having also clinched a narrow victory for his side at the Lions last time out.