Alex Cuthbert and George North are used to pulling on the red jersey of Wales together but tomorrow, they will be on opposite sides as Cardiff Blues host the Scarlets.
The meeting of the two Welsh wingers is just one subplot to what should be a full blooded PRO12 encounter with Sam Warburton looking forward to the clash.
The Welsh captain knows all too well the threat both players pose and has given the two wingers rave reviews.
“It’s a clash of the titans. I won’t be able to tell you who will come out on top as both have been playing excellently but Cuthbert has been immense for the Blues this season,” said Warburton.
“He always gives us go forward. He’s been fortunate and hasn’t picked up many injuries. He’s a hell of an athlete, always willing to learn and he trains hard so he deserves all the success he gets.”
Cuthbert has been in red hot form for his region so far this season, scoring a hat-trick in a Heineken Cup defeat to Sale as well as crossing for Wales against the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium last month.
The wing has handed both the Blues and Welsh rugby a boost by putting pen to paper on a new three year contract with the Blues today and Warburton knows how important the new deal is.
“Obviously he’s top class and is up there with the best players in the world when he’s playing well,” he added.
“To keep a player of his calibre at the club is a massive boost. It shows the club has ambition, he’s the type of player we want to hold on to.”
While Cuthbert has been in the news, the return of North from injury has almost gone unnoticed though Warburton knows the Blues can’t afford to give the powerhouse winger too much room tomorrow night.
“If you give him space, momentum and the chance to use his footwork he’s very good,” he added.
“George thinks he’s going to run over me and I think I’m going to go low on him so it’ll be interesting to see if he comes off his wing!
“From a defensive point of view, line speed will be important and then winning the collisions as well.”
Whatever happens, the battle between two possible Lions wingers will certainly be one to watch.
