Alex Cuthbert has shone for the Blues this term and bagged a hat-trick against Sale in the Heineken Cup © PA Photos

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News: Cuthbert pens new Blues deal?

Players/Officials: Alex Cuthbert

Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12 | Top 14 Orange

Teams: Cardiff Blues | France | Wales

Wales flyer Alex Cuthbert is keen to stay at the Cardiff Blues despite potential interest from France.

With the likes of James Hook, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins and Luke Charteris all plying their trade in France, there are strong rumours that more Welsh internationals are poised to journey cross-Channel and turn their back on the RaboDirect PRO12. Jamie Roberts has already announced that he will leave the Blues at the end of the season, with Racing Metro his likely destination, while Dan Lydiate and Dan Biggar have also been strongly linked with the switch.

Cuthbert, whose contract is up at the end of the season, was also linked with a transfer to Racing Metro last season but he opted to stay at the Blues. And despite the potential larger wages in France, Cardiff Blues winger Cuthbert seems keen to stay at the region and told Wales Online, when asked whether remaining Wales was his first choice: "Yeah, I think so. I haven't spoke to my agent for a while about other offers."

With Roberts set for pastures new, Cuthbert and flanker Sam Warburton are likely to be two of their key players next term. "I'm grateful to the Blues for giving me a chance and it's exciting times," Cuthbert said. "The results aren't going the right way, but we are rebuilding and I knew it would take a couple of years.

"I know we have the players at the club and the club is working hard to attract some top players and to get some more experience in the squad. The region are at quite an exciting point, the start of something that is going to get better.

"I'm still developing and still have so much to learn. Being in the Wales environment helps a lot and is only going to further my development. The longer I'm in this environment, and the closer I am to it is only going to be good for me."