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Robin Heymann

Although he is a fresher at University in Cardiff, life isn’t all about snakebite and kebabs for Wales Sevens’ Alex Cuthbert. Making his debut on the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai back in December, as a 19-year-old, the rangy and elusive winger has made a big impact.

Despite injury keeping him out of two tournaments, he has still scored 19 times and become a key man for coach Paul John. 

With the London Sevens fast approaching on Saturday, UR7s caught up with the youngster to learn about life on the road as an international sevens player and thoughts on the inaugural National Sevens Series.

Alex, after six tournaments how would you assess Wales’ season?

Well I think we have done reasonably well considering its has been a new-look team from previous years. Saying that ,we have let ourselves down in some key games, like when we lost to USA at the Adelaide quarter-finals. From our original aims I think we have under achieved a bit.

What will it take to start winning the close games against the leading IRB contenders?

Ideally we need to train together more to match what other teams are doing and preparing for these tournaments, that would help hugely obviously. A bit more belief too. When you play against the likes of New Zealand it can be intimidating at times. But if we go in knowing we can turn them over, which we can, it will show on the pitch.

You started off the season with a bang and then got injured in Las Vegas. How nice was it to return for to the side at Hong Kong and perform well?

Yeah I was bit unlucky with the injury in Vegas and then I was able to train with the guys in Adelaide and play again in Hong Kong. We again under performed there but it was good to be back and play OK. I just need to back it up in the next few tournaments now and play well and then look forward to next season.

How exciting is it for the team to play in massive stadiums like Twickenham and Murrayfield over the coming few weeks?

Quite a lot of my friends and family are coming to Twickenham and I’ve heard it is going to be pretty packed and a good atmosphere. It will almost feel like a bit of a home tournament so the boys are looking forward to it as well. It is important to finish on a high with the Commonwealth Games building up and the rest of the season.

There are some amazing stops around the globe on the IRB Sevens. Which is your favourite?

Definitely Dubai for me. It was the first one I ever did and one of my better tournaments personally from a playing perspective. The stadium is special and the atmosphere great. We get a lot of support over there also. Everyone in our squad seemed to enjoy that one the most.

What is the feeling like in the camp when you are on tour?

There is obviously a lot of banter and enjoyment when you are away with the team. It’s hard work though and a good atmosphere helps that. You are running out with a Welsh jersey on, which is a big motivating factor. 

Talk UR7s through some of the major characters in the Wales Sevens team?

There are quite a few actually. There is Lee Rees who is a cheeky guy. Craig Hill is the wise head in the squad and he is known as the ‘old man’. Jevon Groves is our captain so is he leads it all. Everyone gets on and we are tight together.

You have played a fair bit of sevens on the UK invitational circuit for the White Hart Marauders. Do you prefer sevens to the 15-a-side game?

Yeah, it is probably more my game. It’s open and free-flowing and there is more space for me. I do love 15s though and playing rugby sevens will aid my development long term. For now though I’m really enjoying playing for my country.

Are you excited to once again be playing for the White Hart Marauders at the inaugural National Sevens Series over the summer?

Yeah it should be a good one, I think we have a good team and it is going to be a tough competition. Hopefully I can take what I have learnt for Wales into the Marauders and it should be an enjoyable new Series.

Do you feel Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium would be a good venue for an IRB Sevens leg? Would you like to see a National Series in Wales?

Yeah definitely we have the stadium and the city to do it in and bring the IRB to. Sevens in Wales is getting a lot more popular and a lot more people watch it. Cardiff is a cracking venue. It’s all about getting the game out there really. If we can get more Welsh people watching Sevens, they will realise further what an exciting and enjoyable game this is.

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The Emirates Airline London Sevens returns to Twickenham May 22-23. Join the party from just £10! Buy now at www.rfu.com/tickets