Phil Davies’ side travel to Nice for a crunch Pool 2 meeting with the defending European champions, still hopeful of qualifying for the quarter finals.
The Blues are two points behind Bernard Laporte’s side at the top of the pool and know two wins from their two remaining games would see them reach the last eight. When the Blues hosted Toulon in October, Gareth Davies’ late try secured a shock win for the capital city region and Cuthbert says a repeat result is more than possible.
“I don’t see why not,” he said, when asked if the Blues could return from France with a victory.
“We are looking forward to it and we know what to expect going down there. We had that win over them at home and we have to take confidence from that and our run in the Heineken Cup. Playing in France is always hard but hopefully we can match them.
“If you look at Toulon’s 23, it’s ridiculous but you can’t be afraid. You always want to play against the best and hopefully I can contribute to a game where we get a win.”
The famous 19-15 victory over Toulon at Cardiff Arms Park was a bittersweet moment for Cuthbert. Despite the obvious delight of seeing his side win, he suffered an ankle injury which kept him out of three of Wales’ four autumn internationals.
“The win over Toulon was a bit frustrating for me but we have to take the confidence from that game,” Cuthbert added.
“We can’t give them any room to play. We’ve done a lot of analysis and we know what’s going to come from them – it’s pretty simple really. We have to rely on our defensive policies and discipline is key. We can’t let them get away with three points all the time.”
Cuthbert starts on the right wing in Nice as Wales prop Gethin Jenkins captains the Blues against his former side. It’s Jenkins’ first regional start since October with Director of Rugby Phil Davies making five changes to the team which defeated the Dragons on New Year’s Day.
Chris Dicomidis returns in the pack with Macauley Cook moving to the back row. Gareth Davies starts at fly half, Chris Czekaj is named on the wing with Harry Robinson out with a leg injury and Gavin Evans and Richard Smith form a new-look midfield partnership.
Jonny Wilkinson captains Toulon from outside half with Mathieu Bastareaud and Matt Giteau in the centre. Andrew Sheridan, Carl Hayman, Bakkies Botha and Joe van Niekerk all start in the pack.
Cuthbert added: “When you get opportunities in these types of games, you have to be clinical. If we can, we want to play and shift their front five around.
“Hopefully we can create some more space this week, I’ll be looking to get as many touches as possible and attack their front five.
“Toulon have lost a few games and they will be looking to get back on track. But we have a sniff of getting to the quarter finals and we want to get there. If we get a result this weekend then anything can happen.”
