Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

For years, Alex Cuthbert has been confronted with replica Lions kit on opening his wardrobe.

Now the Wales try machine has the real thing in his locker.

In the space of two years which he himself describes as “mad”, Cuthbert has meteorically risen from obscurity to selection for this summer’s Lions tour of Australia.

He admits he still has to pinch himself at times, especially now his rugby dream has been realised with his call-up for the trip Down Under.

“Lions selection is what we all dream about,” said the Blues winger.

“It is one of those talked about things in every pub in Britain.

“I’m a massive fan. My dad used to buy me the replica shirts, which I’ve still got in my wardrobe.

“And had I not been selected I probably would have gone down to Australia with my mates to cheer them on.

“It was a great feeling to be selected and I don’t think I will ever get that feeling again.

“I still have to pinch myself and I have a few mates who bring me back down to earth.

“I am proud, the family is proud and I am just looking forward to the tour now.

“It took a couple of days to sink in and thinking, ‘Wow I’m an actual Lion.’

“But now it’s head down and rugby. We’re here to do a job and win.”

Cuthbert has always viewed the Lions as the ultimate, but even he admits he’s been surprised by just how big it is.

That was hammered home to him this week when he took part in the first squad training camp at the Vale Resort.

The surroundings were familiar enough because that’s where Wales are based during international campaigns.

But the whole scale of the circus surrounding the Lions was a shock to him, with a marquee erected alongside the training pitch to accommodate all the media.

“I’m realising how big it is now,” said the 23-year-old.

“Obviously there’s a lot of press. I didn’t think it would be as big as this and it will only get bigger.”

Being part of the circus was more like a fantasy than a dream for him four years ago as Cuthbert watched the last Lions tour of South Africa.

Back then, the idea of being a professional rugby player seemed pretty far-fetched, let alone a Lion.

He was just dipping his toes into the sevens circuit, a move that would ultimately lead to him being handed a contract by the Blues – and the rest is history.

“Four years ago, I would never have expected to be in this position,” he admitted.

“When the Lions lost the second Test in Pretoria, I was playing in my first sevens tournament, in Bath.

“I was watching the game with some mates and having a laugh – it was more of a beer drinking competition.

“I never thought I would be on the next tour.

“I was just starting out. I didn’t even think I’d become a professional player, let alone get to put on one of these Lions shirts.

“It all started four years ago with the sevens. For it all to happen so quickly is a bit of a shock to say the least!

“The last two years since getting my opportunity with the Blues have just been mad.”

Within months of making his regional debut in the autumn of 2011, Cuthbert’s try-scoring exploits had seen him fast-tracked into the Wales squad and he won his first cap in the post-World Cup clash with Australia.

Since then, it’s been real Boys’ Own stuff, as he’s starred in two Six Nations title triumphs, scoring the match-winning tries in both trophy-sealing victories.

It was his double in the demolition of England at the Millennium Stadium in March that really nailed down his place on the Lions tour.

“That game couldn’t have gone more perfectly for us and I was lucky enough to get a couple of tries – especially as I pulled my hamstring after 30 minutes,” he said.

“The tension has been building over the last couple of months since then.

“I have not been able to play since then because of my hamstring.

“I am just really proud now to have been selected.

“I have worked really hard and this has just topped it off.

“It’s a step up from international rugby and the pinnacle for any player.

“Training with these boys you can tell the difference. There are no mistakes and everything is at 110 per cent in terms of intensity – that’s what we want to take Down Under.”

Cuthbert realises he faces tough competition for a Test spot, with George North, Tommy Bowe and Sean Maitland also vying for the wing berths.

“All the wings are playing well and that will only make us better,” he said.

“They’re top boys and quality players. That’s why they are here, because they are the best players in their positions. They are sharp, keen and eager.

“I know the things I have to work on. I will try to use my strengths as much as possible and improve on my weaknesses.

“I just have to take the opportunity and do the best I can.

“I’ve always backed myself. I have taken my chances and hopefully I can continue to do so.”

Looking at the threat posed by the Aussies, Cuthbert said: “They have some exciting young players and their provinces are going really well.

“It’s a big test for us. A lot of people seem to think it’s going to be easy, but Australia are not top-three in the world for nothing.

“We will look to step our game up and it will be a fierce battle. We want to be as competitive as possible and hopefully we will click as a team and become tight knit as quickly as possible.”