WALES have turned to their man for the big occasion as they attempt to end their long wait for the scalp of a southern hemisphere big gun, writes Chris Kirwan.

Head coach Warren Gatland has handed a swift recall to Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert, who is back ahead of schedule after suffering an ankle injury in his region's shock European win against Toulon.

The 23-year-old is one of the finest finishers in the game and has a strike rate of nine tries in 18 Wales caps.

His brace against England last season helped retain the Six Nations crown and he scored the match-winning try in the British and Irish Lions' first Test win against Australia.

"Scoring on a regular basis (at international level), my confidence is always going to be high," said the winger, who is reunited with Leigh Halfpenny and George North in the back row.

"We've been playing well over the last couple of years and the guys have been putting me in space and I've been doing my job as a wing and finishing them off.

"I'm confident and looking forward to the weekend, hopefully if I get the chance I will take it."

Cuthbert, who scored four tries in four Lions games, was unlucky to miss out to Ireland's Tommy Bowe in the second and third Tests but doesn't harbour a grudge with his boss Gatland.

"Warren picked on experience and what he knew best. It worked out well and we won so I have no complaints," said the winger.

"He gave me my chance in the first Test and I'm glad I took it. I was glad to be out there and to learn from all the experiences.

"Any player would be frustrated but I was just happy to be a part of it . I played and scored in the First Test and that was the first time I had beaten a southern hemisphere team, so I was happy with that."

After that series success the chance to finally claim a Welsh win against a Sanzar nation – the 2008 win against the Wallabies was their last – kept Cuthbert going while sidelined through injury.

"The adrenalin and playing in the Millennium Stadium is all I have been thinking about," he said.

"Getting back out there with the guys, playing one of the best teams in the world on that pitch and putting in a performance for myself, the fans and my family."