Cuthbert: Wales can get even meaner in defence (From South Wales Argus)

Cuthbert: Wales can get even meaner in defence

10:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in National Rugby By Chris Kirwan

WALES have gone 277 minutes without their try line being breached, yet wing Alex Cuthbert believes they can get even meaner in defence.

Wales recorded their third clean sheet on the spin when they beat Scotland 28-18 at Murrayfield, meaning they have not conceded a try in all three away games this tournament.

But despite wins in Paris, Rome and Edinburgh, Wales have paid the price for a shocking first 42 minutes against Ireland in the Six Nations opener at the Millennium Stadium when the visitors crossed for three tries.

And Cuthbert thinks there is still plenty of room for improvement against Grand Slam-chasing England on Saturday.

“We pride ourselves on our defence and we worked hard with Shaun Edwards in the week, so for it to pay off at the weekend is good for our morale. England have got a lot of attacking threats, it is going to be a hard game and we are going to have to be at our best.

“We can improve every game and I think that we can get even better in terms of our defence.”

Cuthbert barely had the ball in his hands in the Scottish capital but the wing was more than happy to see his pack grinding out an ugly win.

“Maybe when the game is a bit looser we can utilise myself, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies,” he said.

“But the forwards are on fire and are winning penalties and Leigh is kicking them, so if we get three points every time we scrum or have a set piece then it is happy days.”