Cuthbert relishing new challenge
By Mark Stevens
13/7/18
Alex Cuthbert says he cannot wait to pull on an Exeter Chiefs jersey for the first time as the countdown to the new 2018/19 campaign continues apace.
As the only new senior face added to the Chiefs roster during the summer, the Welsh international will be hoping to make a swift impression on Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter when the pre-season action gets underway in just over a month's time.
Such has been Cuthbert's desire to impress his new employers, he even checked into Sandy Park a month early to give himself a headstart in his mission to make an immediate impact.
The 28-year-old injured a pectoral muscle in Cardiff's Challenge Cup semi-final win over Pau last season and was forced to miss out as his former club defeated Gloucester to lift the crown in Bilbao. However, no sooner had the Blues lifted the Cup, Cuthbert was heading west for a new start with the Chiefs.
"I came to Exeter pretty much straight after my injury because I knew that was my season over and I just wanted to get down here," he said. "I've been doing lots of work with the physios to make sure I'm 100 per cent ready for the start of the season.
"I've had a bit of a headstart but it doesn't make things any easier. 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 th depth and quality is great for the team. I'll relish that battle and it's always what brings out the best in me."
The British & Irish Lions winger admits he has already settled to life well in Devon, using the club's recent pre-season trip to Ibiza as the ideal opportunity to bond friendships with his new team-mates.
"It's been very enjoyable and the boys have been very welcoming," added Cuthbert. "I'm still getting used to the area and the boys, but from what I've seen so far it's been great and I just can't wait for it all to kick-off."
Having spent all of his senior career playing for the Blues, amassing just shy of 100 first team appearances and over 200 points for the club, the chance to test himself in the cut and thrust of the Gallagher Premiership was something Cuthbert said was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"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.
"I'm only 28 and still have a lot to offer. I bring size and speed and I've got a lot of power. 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 the Chiefs. Obviously they are coming right off another good season, they were unlucky not to win the title again last season, but already you can see everyone at the club is determined to get back on top again."
Cuthbert decision to leave the Principality for that of a new start in Devon means his hopes of adding to his tally of 47 international caps cannot be extended for the time being under the '60-cap rule' adopted by those players featuring outside of Wales.
"Reaching 50 caps was obviously in the back of my mind, but I just needed a change and when the opportunity came up at Exeter it was perfect. They'd been tracking me for a 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.
"Tomas Francis is down here already and I've spoken to other guys like Damian Welch, Ceri Sweeney and Tom James, all of whom have been at Exeter in the past. They couldn't speak highly enough of the places 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 well and I know it's a club that's pushing for honours."