Full of praise: Sam Warburton

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• Cardiff Blues

Wales captain Sam Warburton has praised Cardiff Blues team-mate Alex Cuthbert for deciding to stay in Wales.

Cuthbert burst onto the international scene last season for Wales and has been chased by several big-spending French sides, including Toulon and Racing Métro.

However despite plenty of speculation, Cuthbert appears set to sign a new three-year deal with Cardiff keeping him with the region until 2016.

"It will be great for the region and for Wales to keep hold of Alex - he's a top-class player and up there with the best in the world when he is playing well," said Warburton to the South Wales Argus.

"To keep a player of his calibre is a great boost for all of the players round here and shows that the club has ambition.

"Cuthbert has been immense for the Blues this season and is a key player for us. He gives us go-forward, is a hell of an athlete, a good pro and trains hard.

"He is always willing to learn and deserves all of the success that he has had over the past season or so."

Warburton's own contract with the side will run out in 2014, no doubt prompting speculation that the flanker may follow several of his countrymen across the channel.

"I've still got 18 months or so to go on my deal and I will cross that bridge when I come to it," added Warburton.

"Ideally players want to stay in Wales and I am a bit of a home bird anyway - it would be nice to have my testimonial in Cardiff.

"Being brutally honest, if there wasn't money in France nobody would go there. I'd rather play somewhere I'm happy and where I am being looked after medically.

"Phil Davies has been great for me this season and appreciates that players need a rest so that they can keep performing well."