By Simon Thomas
It was understandably frustrating for Alex Cuthbert to be out of action for a year, but he did at least have plenty to keep him occupied off the field.
Aside from his rehabilitation from foot and calf injuries, the Ospreys and Wales winger was also working on his coaching qualifications and figuring regularly as a TV pundit.
But the 33-year-old is now back playing rugby again and fully recovered from his injuries, he has two games under his belt and is looking forward to Friday’s big BKT United Rugby Championship showdown with Munster in Swansea.
https://twitter.com/ospreys/status/1770773217361134021?s=20
Having returned to the pitch, how does he now reflect on his 12 months on the sidelines?
“It was a frustrating time, but I managed to do a lot of other things in that period whether it was media, which I enjoyed a lot, or other off-field activities. So I have been busy.
“I was just trying to get out and about and have a feel for what kind of things I enjoy and take my mind off the injuries.
“With rugby nowadays, you definitely do need to plan and I’ve been planning for years in terms of trying to figure out things I like or want to do and just trying to dip my toe into as much as possible.
“Then it will come to a point where I decide what I want to do after I do finish playing rugby. But, at the moment, I want to play as long as I can. I feel good and I am enjoying it.”
As for coaching, Cuthbert – who will turn 34 next month – has been doing his badges, while also passing on his experience to the youngsters at his region.
“It was something I dipped my toe into to see if I enjoyed it,” he explains.
“You never know. It’s maybe something I could go into in the future.
“I’m probably the oldest by a fair bit in the Ospreys back line and do a bit of coaching without even realising it, in terms of just helping out the young backs. That has been good from my side. I am quite approachable and I enjoy it.
“They ask me about when I first started playing for Wales and some of them weren’t even at secondary school at the time! But it’s good. They are clipping at my heels. It makes me feel a bit younger and it keeps me going.”
Here's my interview with Ospreys and Wales wing Alex Cuthbert who is back playing again after a year out of the game.
He is a busy man both on and off the field!https://t.co/CB2wIWVsG3.— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) March 21, 2024
Cuthbert finally made his return as a replacement in last month’s dramatic URC victory over Ulster and then started the narrow defeat away to Edinburgh.
“It’s very good to be back,” said the 57-cap winger.
“It was by far the longest I have been out during my career.
“Physically I know I am always going to be good enough. It was more mentally for me, because I am so used to getting back from injuries quickly.
“I missed being out there with the boys, the training and the changing room environment, it was a frustrating time.
“But the last couple of months, I’ve started to feel really good, back to myself. My strength and power has come back and I’ve still got some speed.
“When you are out for that long, sometimes you can maybe lose sight of why you are coming back. But I was just really looking forward to being back with the boys and back playing again.
“I don’t think I’ve been as excited to come back and play a game as I was against Ulster. I was absolutely buzzing. I was up the walls in the house. I was doing my missus’ head in!
“So I’ve still got that hunger. Having that time out has probably given my body a bit of time to recover. I played a lot of rugby for a long period of time.
“My body feels good, I feel good mentally and I still feel as though I’ve got an awful lot to give. I am still enjoying it.
“I am back doing my main job and this is what I am 100 per cent focused on.
“There’s still a lot to play for this season. The boys have done unbelievably well to put us in a situation where we have knock-out rugby in Europe and a good chance within the league.
“Winning silverware is what we all strive for in club rugby and I feel like this is a great opportunity.”
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