Six Nations
Cuthbert in hot water after phone-throwing incident
ESPN Staff
February 19, 2015
Alex Cuthbert's place in the Wales squad is under threat © Getty Images
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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 Cuthbert 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 Six 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. "I thought Liam in particular played well at the weekend. His ability to beat a player and his work-rate off the ball was very good. We feel that we're nice and strong in that position."

Howley confirmed that Samson Lee would also be available for the trip to Paris after the tighthead prop missed the Scotland victory after being concussed in the opening game against England.

He also felt Finn Russell's aerial collision with Dan Biggar at Murrayfield was worthy of a red card, the Scotland fly-half subsequently handed a two-week suspension for a dangerous tackle which rules him out of the Six Nations game with Italy on February 28.

"The ban is out of our hands really but I thought it was a red card," Howley said. "I think if he had kept his eye on the ball for the totality of that sequence then it is a collision.

"It happens in rugby but, unfortunately, he has turned for that split second. Dan has landed on his upper back and neck, and if you look in the rule book it's an automatic red card."

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