Cuthbert’s amazing rise to Lions leader

Nothing illustrates the speed of Alex Cuthbert’s rise to prominence more than the fact that he was losing a Sevens match against a team called The Smurfs on the day of the second Lions Test against South Africa in 2009.

It is the type of memory that invites an opportunity to pause, and for Cuthbert, to reflect on quite how far he has come.

Now seen as an indispensable part of the Welsh side, the 23-year-old was still waiting for a break when the Lions were in South Africa four years ago. He had accepted an invitation from the Marauders Academy to play in a Sevens tournament in Bath which happened to take place on June 27, while that game was on.

It proved to be a hugely important day in Cuthbert’s development as it was there he was spotted by the Welsh selectors, with his international Sevens debut coming two months later.

There began his journey to the national team, and on to the Lions.

“I was playing in a Sevens tournament on the day of the second Test,” says Cuthbert. “We lost in the final of that tournament in Bath to a team called the Smurfs.

“That was the day the Welsh selectors noticed me in the Sevens, and they invited me down to join the squad after that.

“I scored a few tries and it was a good, hot day. We did well in that tournament, and we went on to a tournament in Middlesex with the Marauders.

“It was weird how I remember watching the Lions that day and then playing in my first Sevens tournament that afternoon. It’s a bit surreal when you think about it. Four years on I’m on the Lions tour, and then I was just starting.

“I didn’t even think I’d be a professional rugby player, let alone put a Lions jersey on. It’s all come really quickly and it’s an honour.”

And now he is in the squad it is no surprise that Cuthbert is pinching himself to be alongside Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.

“Brian is a legend in my eyes,” explains Cuthbert. “I remember watching him play for the Lions in 2001 and I know the try he scored in that series off by heart as he went through their whole team.

“It will be really good to play alongside him in that environment, and work out what he goes on about during a game. He is one of my heroes, so to be alongside them in a changing room, and maybe playing with them, is really weird. It won’t sink in until afterwards.

“As for Wales, we were lucky in that we played well and got better with every game. We couldn’t have played a more perfect game than we did against England.

“I was lucky to play considering I did my hamstring after 30 minutes. After that match I went to Barcelona for a week for rehab, but considering the Lions is coming up maybe it’s good I’ve had a few weeks off at the end of the season.”

And now he is in the squad, Cuthbert has two priorities; working out how the Lions can beat the Wallabies, and making sure all his mates have tickets for the games. “My mates are desperate, begging me for tickets,” laughs Cuthbert. “If I wasn’t going I would have gone with them to watch the Lions. As for the Test series, they were really close in 2009 and I think this is a big chance. Australia aren’t one of the two best sides in the world for nothing, though, and we will have to play at our best to beat them.”

*Alex Cuthbert is an adidas ambassador and has been selected for the British & Irish Lions squad. Buy the Lions shirt from adidas.com and join the conversation @adidasUK