Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver

ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.

- CHARLIE ELLIOTT

Former Wales wing Cuthbert, who toured with the Lions in 2013 and scored a try in the first Test, believes their woeful run since the World Cup means it is a must-win game ahead of tougher fixtures against Australia and South Africa.

Wales' last Test win came against Georgia at RWC2023, having lost nine in a row won a "We haven't game in a whole year, it's a tough first game," Cuthbert said on The Rugby Paper podcast. "Expectations are high with the squad that they've got and expectations within Wales is that we should win that, even if they're higher in the rankings and have had a good Pacific Nations.

"There's a pressure that Wales have to deliver. For me, it's a must-win, with the confidence that it gives going into Australia week, and then we're playing the World Champions.

"The difference with South Africa, is they make changes when they know the opposition is at their weakest, in terms of when they concede the most amount of points. Then they put that team under a serious amount of pressure and get their rewards and end the game.