Cuthbert primed for aerial assault (From South Wales Argus)

Cuthbert primed for aerial assault

6:00am Saturday 16th March 2013 in Sport By Chris Kirwan

WALES wing Alex Cuthbert expects an aerial bombardment from English boots at the Millennium Stad-ium this evening.

England have scored just one try in their last three fixtures and even that effort should have been disallowed for offside when Manu Tuilagi was the beneficiary of a ball hacked on at a ruck against France.

But Stuart Lancaster’s side head to Cardiff this evening with a formidable defensive record having shipped just 48 points in their four games. The Six Nations has failed to hit the heights of the free-flowing opening weekend and Cuthbert doesn’t expect England to be too expansive in the title showdown at the Millennium Stadium.

“I think they’re going to kick quite a bit, kick in behind us and kick long,” said the Cardiff Blues speedster. “They’re not going to give George North, Leigh Halfpenny and myself the chance to run back at them.

“But we aren’t going to be worried by high balls, we train all week for things like that and will be fully prepared for what England throw at us.

“Their defence has been really good in this tournament. They’ve conceded fewer points than anyone else, so it’s going to be a tough game.

“Mike Brown is very good in the air. He’s a sharp player with some good feet so, defensively, I’ll have to keep my concentration all game.

“Alex Goode is also pretty solid under the high ball, so we’ll have to compete with them on that front and make sure our own kicking is 100 per cent accurate.”

This time last year Cuthbert was a Grand Slam hero, racing away against France for the only try of the game.

Now the 22-year-old wants to help write the next chapter.

“It was a great honour to score the try which helped us win the Grand Slam. There was a good feeling for a long time and there still is,” he said.

“People still talk about it but that’s back then now and we have to focus on this evening. I need to have another solid game and contribute to another win.

“If the ball pops up again, I’ll gladly take the chance. Hopefully George and I can see a bit more ball because it hasn't been a tournament for wings, not for any of the teams.

“But if the forwards are doing their jobs up front and we’re winning games, I’m not complaining. As long as we keep winning, it’s a team game.”