Alex Cuthbert: Expects a stern test
Wales wing Alex Cuthbert expects a difficult task when his side host Ireland in their Six Nations opener in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Cardiff Blues flyer is particularly wary of Ireland's young wings Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy who will both be making their Six Nations debuts this weekend.
"They are two class wingers," said Cuthbert.
"They are playing really well for their clubs. They are young as well, so they've got a lot of enthusiasm and they are going to want to put a statement down in their first Six Nations.
"They are going to be a stern test and it's going to be hard work against them.
"They are going to be the danger men for Ireland, so we are doing our homework on them.
"They are obviously a bit smaller, but they are good tacklers and they have got good footwork."
Despite being the tournament's defending champions, Wales have lost their last seven internationals and Cuthbert - who played in his first Six Nations last year - admits that they are in a different place than they were a year ago.
"Obviously this time last year the boys had come back from a really good World Cup," he said.
"I joined the squad on a serious high and winning that Grand Slam was a great feeling.
"Obviously the autumn didn't go as well as we would have wanted, but we have a bit of confidence from those last two games against New Zealand and Australia and things have been going well in training.
"We've still got the same motivation and excitement in the camp."
Cuthbert has scored five tries in thirteen internationals and admits that he is still coming to terms with his rapid rise in the Test arena.
"It's gone pretty quick," he said.
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind year and it's come round so quickly now.
"I just want to keep carrying my form on with Wales now."
Comments
jamesliveinhope says...
@99call - agreed but the set-piece platform was poor in the Autumn and the Welsh performance against the Australians was a big improvement (albeit against a side not known for their scrummaging prowess.)
Have close to their first choice front row back just in time to waive all their locks off in an ambulance so will be interesting to see how everything clicks for now.
Posted 12:31 30th January 2013
99call says...
jamesliveinhope
yes you did tend to see the big welsh wingers running through the middle but that was last year, if you watch what they did in the Autumn they just shovelled the ball across the backline and by the time it got to their wingers they the defence had surrounded him and he had no chance, no one in the centres was running at inside shoulders to straighten up and hold the defensive line
Now Roberts can run straight but what is the welsh game plan? They do have a habit of just going from side to side rather than straight wainting for the gaps to open but I think we've all sussed that so it will be interesting.
I dont think North will not find BOD as much of a minor speed bump as he did McFadden last year
But Im excited to see the 2 young speedsters up against the 2 giants, I personnally prefer the speedster wing but it what youve got available, and also lets get the point across that both irish wingers are at least 6ft and the guts of 15st so theyre not that small
Posted 10:47 30th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
@rugbyrockstar too right, a winger is only any use if he gets the ball, you tend to see the welsh lumps charging through the midfield holes made by Roberts so there will be room out wide for the speedsters if only the Irish midfield can get the ball to them.
Reckon Kearney's role is going to be huge if he can link up with them from his runs out of defence.
Posted 10:01 30th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
@rugby_rockstar .......................................best analogy ever
Posted 09:56 30th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Nelly the elephant vs the green hornet, who wins? depends on who's got the ball of course. Over to the Forwards to decide matters then. ...As always. :)
Posted 09:29 30th January 2013