Phone antics threaten Alex Cuthbert’s Wales place

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has confirmed the team’s management will speak to Alex Cuthbert over an incident in which he threw away a mobile telephone belonging to a member of the public.

The incident happened last December when the Cardiff Blues and British and Irish Lions wing was not under the jurisdiction of the Welsh camp but has only just come to light with footage of the altercation being posted on social media.

In the video, Cuthbert is shown to launch the phone down the street, much to the annoyance of the individual who angrily confronts him and calls him an abusive name.

“We’re aware of it the video and all our players are reminded of their conduct in public,” Howley said.

“It happened back in December and he wasn’t on Wales duty.

“It’s a constant reminder to us all — and we are going to speak to Alex about that incident.”

Cuthbert’s place is in jeopardy for Wales’ next RBS 6 Nations game against France in Paris on February 28 despite last weekend’s 26-23 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Liam Williams gave an impressive performance on the wing deputising for the injured George North in Edinburgh and Howley confirmed the Northampton Saints powerhouse would be fit for the France game, even though he will sit out his side’s Aviva Premiership match with Bath on Saturday.

With Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny indispensable because of his metronomic goal-kicking, Cuthbert — who has failed to score a try in his last four Test appearances — is looking increasingly vulnerable.

“It’s always a huge selection on the wing,” Howley said.