Alex Cuthbert will remain a Blue until 2015 © Getty Images

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Teams: Cardiff Blues | Wales

Wales flyer Alex Cuthbert has confirmed that he has signed a new three-year deal with the Cardiff Blues.

Cuthbert, who has 13 caps for Wales, was on the radar of French big-spenders Racing Metro but unlike his international team-mates Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate, Cuthbert has spurned their advances to pen a new long-term contract with the Blues. The news will come as a massive boost to the Wales Rugby Union who has seen in the past couple of years a number of Wales' best players opt for a cross-Channel switch.

The likes of Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips and James Hook all ply their trade in France but Cuthbert is keen to continue his development at the Blues. "I had a lot of decisions to make but I'm glad I've got it sorted and this is the place I want to be to take my rugby career forward," Cuthbert said. "I'm glad it's all sorted now.

"I did have some good offers from other clubs but I wanted to stay with the Blues. I've certainly seen the progress on the pitch, although we may not be getting the results right now, we are just losing by narrow margins and you can tell it's coming. Hopefully we will get some quality players in next season and those close losses will turn into wins for us."

"I'm just looking forward to the rest of the season, starting with our derby matches over Christmas at home to the Scarlets and the Dragons. I've certainly seen the progress on the pitch. Although we may not be getting the results right now, we are just losing by narrow margins and you can tell it's coming. Hopefully we will get some quality players in next season and hopefully those close losses will turn into wins for us."

Blues director of rugby Phil Davies added: "I am delighted that Alex Cuthbert has signed a contact with the Blues, keeping him in Wales for the next three years. Alex is 22, he has a fantastic future ahead of him, not just at the Blues but in the game in general.

"He is a vital part of our squad and I'm sure that our supporters are also delighted as are the players in the squad. Alex is s a great try scorer but he is still young and developing all the time. His work rate is phenomenal and his defence and reading of the game is improving considerably. Hopefully he will get better and better over the next three years."