Cuthbert: I’m only 28 and have a lot to offer
HAVING escaped the critic-filled goldfish bowl of Welsh rugby, Alex Cuthbert hopes checking in a month early at Exeter has given him a head-start in his mission to make an immediate impact at his new club.
Wales wing Cuthbert, 28, missed Cardiff’s dramatic Challenge Cup final victory over Gloucester in May, having injured a pectoral muscle in their semi-final win over Pau.
Rather than wallowing in that disappointment, however turned his attention to the next task in hand.
“I came to Exeter pretty much straight away after my injury because I knew that was my season over and I just wanted to get
down here,” Cuthbert told The Rugby Paper.
“I’ve been doing lots of work with the physios to make sure I’m 100 per cent for the start of new season.
“I’ve had a bit of a headstart but it doesn’t make things any easier and I know I’ve got a battle to win a place here with the quality of competition from guys like Jack Nowell, Olly Woodburn, James Short and Santiago Cordero.
“That’s exactly the sort of competition you want in a back three and it’s a long old season, so to have the depth and quality is great for the team. I’ll relish that battle and it’s always what brings out the best in me.”
Cuthbert added: “I’m only 28 and still have a lot to offer. I bring size and speed and I’ve got a lot of power, and with the experience I’ve got of playing in a lot of big games I’m looking to bring that out and win things at Chiefs.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Premiership. It’s one of the best leagues going and to have the opportunity of joining one of the best teams in England and Europe now is something I wanted to grab with both hands.”
Cuthbert has been capped 47 times by Wales so will no longer be eligible under the ‘60-cap’ rule for as long as he remains in England.
He has no regrets, however, explaining: “Reaching 50 caps was obviously in the back of my mind, but it’s tough to stay at the top, especially in Wales, and all the boys there get a tough time from critics at one time or another.
“I don’t go on Twitter and that stuff doesn’t bother me – but I just needed a change and when the opportunity came up at Exeter it was perfect.
“They’d been tracking me for quite a while and I first spoke to Rob Baxter and Ali Hepher a couple of years ago, so if a top club like this is looking at you and they feel you’ve got something to offer, it gives you a lot of confidence.”
Cuthbert adds: “Tomas Francis is down here and I’ve spoken to other guys like Damien Welch, Tom James and Ceri Sweeney who have been at Exeter. They couldn’t speak highly enough of the place and it’s ticked every box so far.
“It’s different to what I’ve been used to at Cardiff – it’s a far bigger organisation and the way they go about things is probably on another level – but I’ve settled in straight away and it’s a club that’s pushing for honours.”
Cuthbert has not entirely given up on hitting a halfcentury for Wales.
“I spoke to all the Welsh coaching staff separately and thanked them for the support over the eight years I’ve had playing for Wales,” he said.
“Whether they change the 60-cap rule or not, if I’m ever to have a chance of getting back into a Welsh jersey I needed a fresh challenge in order to re-energise myself and play my best rugby.
“Never say never, but for now I’m just looking forward to knuckling down at Exeter and competing for some top silverware.”