WING Alex Cuthbert is confident he will rise to the occasion with Wales at the World Cup after enduring a nightmare season.

The 25-year-old Lions speedster was dropped by Warren Gatland for Liam Williams in the Six Nations and endured a torrid time with Cardiff Blues, admitting his confidence had hit rock bottom.

But Leigh Halfpenny’s knee injury has opened the door with Cuthbert poised to battle with Newport Gwent Dragons speedster Hallam Amos for a back three spot alongside Williams and George North i the big World Cup games.

With a potential points-fest against Group A whipping boys Uruguay on the cards in the tournament opener, the winger is confident of rediscovering his best form.

“I haven’t had the rub of the green recently but I’m still working hard in training,” said Cuthbert, who has a formidable strike rate of 15 tries in 35 Tests.

“It’s only going to be one or two games from being back to where I was before. I’ve shown in big games and in big tournaments in the past that I can come good.

“I just want to get out there and put a performance in at the start and hopefully build on it in each and every game.

“The boys who are picked for Uruguay only have eyes for Sunday. We want to get the result because it’s all about momentum at the World Cup.”

The opener at the Millennium Stadium presents a different challenge for Wales with an avalanche of tries needed to heap the pressure on England, Australia and Fiji in case qualification comes down to points difference.

“I guess it is a different test,” admitted Cuthbert. “For us, it’s about playing our gameplan and sticking to it. Hopefully, we’ll put some points on Uruguay – no disrespect to them – but if we beat Australia and England it doesn’t matter.”