Six Nations 2015: Tom Shanklin doubts Alex Cuthbert Wales recall

Alex Cuthbert was a 2013 British and Irish Lion in Australia

Ex-Wales centre Tom Shanklin believes dropped wing Alex Cuthbert is unlikely to be recalled to the team to face Ireland in the Six Nations on 14 March.

Blues player Cuthbert is among 12 players released back to their regions ahead for Pro12 games at the weekend.

The Cardiff-based region face Connacht at the Arms Park on Friday.

"Whatever he does at the weekend, I don't think it's going to be enough to get him back in that [Wales] team at the moment," said Shanklin.

"But it'll certainly get them [Wales' selectors] thinking and that's what they want.

"They want to see a reaction from a player.

"They want to see that it means something to players when they are dropped."

However, Shanklin believes 2013 British and Irish Lion Cuthbert has the chance to improve his prospects of a future recall after he missed out on Wales' 20-13 win over France.

Cuthbert lost out as Northampton's George North returned to the Wales team for the win in Paris and Scarlets' Liam Williams held his place in the back-three alongside Toulon full-back Leigh Halfpenny.

Shanklin added: "You've got to say to yourself 'right, I've been dropped, I'm going to show them what I can do, I'm going to go out and perform and at least give them something to think about'."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has released a dozen players for Pro12 duty.

Hooker Kristian Dacey, prop Scott Andrews, fly-half Gareth Anscombe and centre Cory Allen join Cuthbert at Blues.

Flanker Justin Tipuric, prop Aaron Jarvis and versatile back-five forward James King are all available to face Munster in Swansea for Ospreys on Saturday.

Scarlets could have scrum-half Gareth Davies alongside fly-half Priestland and centre Scott Williams when they host Leinster.

Back-three player Hallam Amos could figure for Dragons when they face Ulster at Rodney Parade on Sunday.