'I thought Alex had a sense of humour': Powell responds to Cuthbert

Former Wales No.8 Andy Powell has responded to critcism from his former teammate - Alex Cuthbert - who said he had 'wiped his hands' of him after criticism.

Speaking on the RugbyPass Offload podcast, Wales winger Cuthbert said that criticism leveled at him online by Powell had lead him to cut ties with the former looseforward.

“I’ve sort of fallen out with him really," said Cuthbert. "I remember after one of the World Cups he gave me quite a bit of s***. I was sort of done with him really.”

Cuthbert had been the subject of heavy criticism prior to and during the Rugby World Cup, not just from Powell but the wider Welsh press and public, leading him to critcise former players who turn to punditry and dish it out to their former teammates.

Powell has now responded to the comments on Twitter, writing: "I always thought he was a good lad and wasn’t such a hypocrite. But to make an accusation that I would say anything about him or about anyone just to say something ‘stupid’ and get paid is defamatory.

“During that period, I believed Alex was playing badly (probably the worst he ever had done) and it was blatant. Some comments were critical, banter and my opinions. I thought Alex had a sense of humour and I am sorry that he had taken any comments so personally.

“But during that period, I believed there were better players out there that would have done a better job. And I certainly wasn’t the only one to think so.

“I have made some incredible friends throughout my career and after. If someone asks me for my opinion, I will give it. Those that ask for my opinion tend to ask me because I am going to be honest and straight-talking.

“As a professional sports person you can either let the negative comments defeat you or you take it constructively, laugh, wise up, improve and move on. It is sad that Alex hasn’t done the latter. I wish him all the best.”