Jack Cuthbert revels in return to kicking duties

EDINBURGH full-back Jack Cuthbert was delighted to have kicked his side to victory, the first time for four seasons he has taken on the goalkicking duties.

Tom Brown breaks through the Gloucester defence . Picture: Getty

He was even able to laugh about his final penalty attempt that turned into a grubber kick as the ball fell over during his run-up.

The resulting Gloucester knock-on allowed Edinburgh to run down the clock to claim a revenge victory.

Cuthbert felt he proved a point in his preferred full-back spot, as Greig Tonks moved to No 10 following the withdrawal through injury of Harry Leonard. It was not only the goalkicking of the 6’5” player that played a crucial role.

His prodigious kicking out of hand in the first half was also crucial in building a half-time lead.

“I knew a few days ago that I would be doing the goal-kicking so I was able to prepare,” explained a delighted Cuthbert after the game.

“I enjoyed it, if I’m honest. The last few weeks I have been running on the wing so it was great to get the opportunity at 15. I feel more at home there.

“Most of my experience has been at 15. I think I can use my kicking game more and influence the game. I am enjoying it at 15 and hopefully I will get another opportunity over the next few weeks.

“I have to wind the clock back to the last time I kicked the goals.

“It was for Bath probably four years ago under Steve Meehan when I did it for eight or nine games on the trot.”

Eventual victory meant that Cuthbert was able to laugh about his final kick at goal as the seconds ran out, which did not get above waist height.

“I am not too sure what happened with that one, but it managed to go our way.

“The ball was like the leaning tower of Pisa as I ran up, so I just figured I had to give it a whack. It was pretty much horizontal when I got to it so not much I could do – you can only smile when things go your way.”

Cuthbert summed up the determination of the squad to overturn the previous week’s defeat.

“We owed them one because they had come to our patch and turned us over. We need to keep that consistency and defensive pattern as we try to repeat that performance against Leinster,” he said.

“The boys made it really easy for me to manage the game from the back. Greig Tonks did a great job at 10.

“I knew from playing at Bath that it would be difficult to come here, but if you can get ahead then the supporters in the Shed will be quiet – after half-time they did not have much to say.

“It was great and that stemmed from our defence. If we make defence a key part of our game then the attack seems to take care of itself.”