Latest news with #JamieRoberts
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jamie Roberts the 'luckiest guy on the planet' as he shares new baby pictures
Jamie Roberts the 'luckiest guy on the planet' as he shares new baby pictures The couple revealed the news on social media as they welcomed a new addition to the Roberts clan Jamie Roberts and family. (Image: Jamie Roberts and Nicole Ramson on Instagram. ) Wales legend Jamie Roberts and his wife Nicole have welcomed their third child into the world. Taking to Instagram in a collaborative post, the couple provided images of the family at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with the new arrival. Clara Rose Roberts is now the fifth member of the family, following Elodie May, who was born in 2022, and Tomos Rhys, born in 2021. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Roberts said: "At times I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet. So grateful to welcome our third into the world and thankful to the wonderful staff at our great University Hospital." Content cannot be displayed without consent This news comes just three days after Roberts announced that he would be beginning work as a resident doctor this summer. Article continues below Over ten years ago, the legendary centre completed his medical degree whilst playing international rugby, having to turn up to the Vale Resort earlier than the rest of his teammates to get revision done ahead of exam season, something he revealed in his book 'Centre Stage'. "I crave pressure, responsibility and accountability," Roberts told WalesOnline "It has taken me a while to work out exactly what I miss from the game, and that's it. I miss the pressure and doing something that brings with it pressure and scrutiny. "Of course I miss the lads, I miss the changing room and I miss the social side of rugby probably above all else. "I love problem-solving, I love working with people and I guess when you go through that soul-searching when you retire, you try to narrow down what you really love and what you really want to go after. "Medicine and being a doctor ticks a lot of boxes. It's problem-solving, it's in science, it's working with people, it brings significant pressure and responsibility. I can't wait to join another great team in the NHS." Article continues below Over the course of his storied career, Roberts played for Cardiff, Racing 92, Harlequins, Bath, Stormers, Dragons and NSW Waratahs, as well as earning 94 caps for Wales and touring twice with the British and Irish Lions. Since retiring, Roberts has moved into media roles and became a board member for the WRU. This, along with his new long-term venture into medicine and new baby, Roberts has plenty to keep himself busy.
ITV News
17-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Former Wales international and Lions star Jamie Roberts to join NHS as doctor
Former Wales international and British and Irish Lion Jamie Roberts will complete his medical training to become an NHS doctor. Three years after his retirement from professional rugby and over a decade after finishing his initial medical degree, Roberts has announced he will begin working as a resident doctor and start the final part of his training this summer. UK medical training usually requires a five-year undergraduate degree before a two-year foundation course where trainees become resident doctors working in a professional setting and are paid a salary. Due to his rugby commitments, Roberts completed his undergraduate degree in seven years, graduating from Cardiff University in 2013. He then went on to obtain postgraduate degrees at both Loughborough University and Cambridge University. Now, after passing a 'return to medicine' exam in November, Roberts will start his two year-foundation course before deciding on what area of medicine to specialise in the long run. As a result he will start working within Cardiff and Vale Health Board this summer. 'I crave pressure, responsibility and accountability,' Roberts told WalesOnline'It has taken me a while to work out exactly what I miss from the game, and that's it. I miss the pressure and doing something that brings with it pressure and scrutiny.'Of course I miss the lads, I miss the changing room and I miss the social side of rugby probably above all else.'I love problem-solving, I love working with people and I guess when you go through that soul-searching when you retire, you try to narrow down what you really love and what you really want to go after.'Medicine and being a doctor ticks a lot of boxes. It's problem-solving, it's in science, it's working with people, it brings significant pressure and responsibility. I can't wait to join another great team in the NHS.' As a father to two young children, Roberts who has returned to living in Cardiff, said he applied for a process called 'pre-allocation' which allows him to work in his local health board. Since retiring from playing the game, he has formed a career as a well-respected pundit, regularly appearing on BBC Scrum V, ITV's Six Nations coverage, Premier Sports and TNT Sports. He is also a non-executive director on the Welsh Rugby Union board. As a result, while undergoing his medical training, Roberts is hoping to stay involved in Rugby on some-level. 'The NHS is probably more flexible now than it has been previously. I get pre-allocated to Cardiff and Vale health board.'I have young children, so you can apply for something called pre-allocation, which allows you to work in your local health board.'I'm starting at Llandough, which is my first rotation on geriatrics, and then I've got my other five rotations at the Heath for the next couple of years. I think I've got A&E, emergency medicine, trauma orthopedics, cardiovascular medicine, respiratory medicine and colorectal surgery.'So you can pro rata your time commitment and salary I guess for 50% all the way to 100%. So I've applied for 70%-80%, which gives me that day off in the week to allow me to stay involved in the game.' 'Whenever anyone goes into hospital, it is still humbling to see the effort and work which goes into treating patients.'I'm under no illusions of how challenging it will be and how much I need to learn. Even just looking at one medical textbook now, I go 'wow!' 'The volume and intensity of work is immense, but that's the challenge.'When players retire, if you take the whole-life approach, you've got 30 years of life ahead of you. You invest in a career that has longevity and there's a clear path.'That's one of the great things in medicine. There's a clear pathway of things you want to work in.'You get fulfilment from seeing people under your care get better. There's a reason people see a GP – they are not well.'It's a privilege to be able to go into it because you are contributing to people's health at the end of the day. That's the buzz and appeal.'There's a lot of discourse around the health service and the challenges it is facing, but to me therein lies the challenge and appeal about going into that, rolling my sleeves up and giving it everything I've got.' After completing his foundation training, Roberts will need to make a decision on which area to specialise. 'Because of my background in sport trauma, orthopedic surgery appeals straight away. I loved learning about injuries when I had them and my fellow players [did]. I took a real interest in it whenever players got injured, and found it fascinating – the process of surgery and the rehabilitation process as well.'When you go through that as a player, you feel like you learn more. I was really invested in that when I got injured.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jamie Roberts: My big career announcement and the truth about my WRU job
Jamie Roberts has never been one to shirk a challenge. The 38-year-old has always thrived under pressure, with his 94 Wales caps, three Six Nations titles along with the pivotal roles he played on two British & Irish Lions tours all being a testament to his resilience. Now, three years after his retirement from playing professional rugby and over a decade after finishing his initial medical degree, Roberts will finally begin working as a resident doctor this summer. READ MORE: Welsh team reach play-offs without playing as another club's hopes dashed READ MORE: Wales' new-look coaching team revealed as Danny Wilson and legends called in Sitting in his home in Cardiff, Roberts explains his return to medicine and the challenges that await him with as much excitement as he ever did when doing media interviews as a player. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. 'I crave pressure, responsibility and accountability,' Roberts tells WalesOnline 'It has taken me a while to work out exactly what I miss from the game, and that's it. I miss the pressure and doing something that brings with it pressure and scrutiny. 'Of course I miss the lads, I miss the changing room and I miss the social side of rugby probably above all else. 'I love problem-solving, I love working with people and I guess when you go through that soul-searching when you retire, you try to narrow down what you really love and what you really want to go after. 'Medicine and being a doctor ticks a lot of boxes. It's problem-solving, it's in science, it's working with people, it brings significant pressure and responsibility. I can't wait to join another great team in the NHS.' Roberts' path back towards medicine began a few months ago with long hours studying ahead of an exam in November, which he passed with flying colours. As a result, the former centre will begin practising as a junior doctor in Llandough Hospital in Cardiff this summer. Roberts will have to take two foundation years before settling on what area of medicine to specialise in the long run. 'There's an exam once a year – once every November – if you want to get back into clinical medicine the following August, because the intake runs in the academic year,' he says. 'I sat an exam in Manchester in November. I gave myself three or four weeks' prep and I was in the library in the Heath spending many long evenings. 'They can examine you on anything, so you have to revise everything. That was challenging, having been out of it for over 12 years. 'So if you've graduated and you've not started that foundation year within two years, you have to resit this exam. 'It's a clinical exam – 12 stations with actors and they can ask you anything. 'It was an amazing feeling, passing that exam, because you are on your path then. 'The NHS is probably more flexible now than it has been previously. I get pre-allocated to Cardiff and Vale health board. 'I have young children, so you can apply for something called pre-allocation, which allows you to work in your local health board. 'I'm starting at Llandough, which is my first rotation on geriatrics, and then I've got my other five rotations at the Heath for the next couple of years. I think I've got A&E, emergency medicine, trauma orthopedics, cardiovascular medicine, respiratory medicine and colorectal surgery. 'So you can pro rata your time commitment and salary I guess for 50% all the way to 100%. So I've applied for 70%-80%, which gives me that day off in the week to allow me to stay involved in the game.' As we chat, Roberts asks whether I have been watching the BBC documentary series Saving Lives in Cardiff. The documentary follows a group of talented doctors and surgeons working at the Heath Hospital, officially known as the University Hospital of Wales (UHW), which highlights the huge pressure on the NHS. There is the daily dilemma of potentially having to cancel operations, either because of a lack of beds or a more urgent case. But these surgeons work minor miracles on a daily basis to not only save lives under intense pressure but also improve the patients' standard of living. Roberts is clearly inspired by what he has seen and is ready to add value to the NHS. 'Therein lies that pressure, and I'm a massive fan of people who work in healthcare,' says Roberts. 'I was watching on TV the other night Saving Lives in Cardiff and I had goosebumps watching that and thinking how much of a privilege it is going into that setting to join that team. 'As a student, I've scrubbed up in some operations and been in the operating room during ACL reconstructions and amputations. 'I'm in awe of these people. It's an actual privilege for me to be joining those people and joining a team of healthcare specialists. 'Whenever anyone goes into hospital, it is still humbling to see the effort and work which goes into treating patients. 'I'm under no illusions of how challenging it will be and how much I need to learn. Even just looking at one medical textbook now, I go 'wow!' 'The volume and intensity of work is immense, but that's the challenge. 'When players retire, if you take the whole-life approach, you've got 30 years of life ahead of you. You invest in a career that has longevity and there's a clear path. 'That's one of the great things in medicine. There's a clear pathway of things you want to work in. 'You get fulfillment from seeing people under your care get better. There's a reason people see a GP – they are not well. 'It's a privilege to be able to go into it because you are contributing to people's health at the end of the day. That's the buzz and appeal. 'There's a lot of discourse around the health service and the challenges it is facing, but to me therein lies the challenge and appeal about going into that, rolling my sleeves up and giving it everything I've got.' Once his foundation years are complete, Roberts will have to make a choice. He has a fair idea of what road to go down, but admits his feelings might change over time. 'If you were to ask me now, it would be to become an orthopedic surgeon, but that's a decade's training, but with my whole-life hat on, that's 10 years out of 30,' he explains. 'Because of my background in sport trauma, orthopedic surgery appeals straight away. I loved learning about injuries when I had them and my fellow players [did]. I took a real interest in it whenever players got injured, and found it fascinating – the process of surgery and the rehabilitation process as well. 'When you go through that as a player, you feel like you learn more. I was really invested in that when I got injured.' It would be an understatement to say Roberts is a busy man, and it is a wonder he has time to conduct this interview, given his numerous responsibilities. While rugby and medicine are huge passions of his, Roberts is a family man. The former Wales centre and his wife Nicole have two young children – Elodie and Tomos – and are expecting a third child in the very near future. Roberts is also a well-respected pundit, regularly appearing on BBC Scrum V, ITV's Six Nations coverage, Premier Sports and TNT Sports. Despite hanging up his boots a few years ago, Roberts is contributing to Welsh rugby as much as he ever did as a player, as a non-executive director on the Welsh Rugby Union board. Roberts couldn't have been a member of the WRU board at a more important time. Welsh rugby has gone through a turbulent period over the past couple of years. The senior men's national side have lost a record 17 Test matches in succession, and have taken home the Six Nations wooden spoon for the second year running. This is a far cry from Roberts' playing career and those of his teammates, with Wales winning six Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams between 2005 and 2021, while they also reached two Rugby World Cup semi-finals. 'Board meetings recently have been a lot more frequent because there's been a lot of work going on around the PRA and with Cardiff, especially,' he said. 'It's usually a couple of commitments or a couple of days a month, if not once a week more recently. There's board meetings and different committee meetings whether that's meeting people in the evenings making sure everything is done properly. 'I guess my contribution is to leverage my experiences and my past life into better decision-making at the WRU. Of course, I've had my playing and life experiences, but besides that there's going to be other people there with far more commercial experience, legal experience or financial experiences. That's the purpose of a multi-functioning board. You have all these experiences from various walks of life. Mine is coming from Welsh rugby, is coming from the heart and what I've experienced in the game in Wales. 'The decision-makers are always open to that insight and I'd like to think I've played an important part in adding that rugby player lens to the decision-making. At the end of the day, we all love Welsh rugby and we want to see it succeed. 'It's about putting the right pieces of the jigsaw in place to allow us to do that.' As a WRU board member, Roberts' role naturally involves challenging and holding to account those in positions of power within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby. He owes much to his former coach Warren Gatland, but given Wales' wretched run of form during the latter part of the New Zealander's second stint in charge, some serious questions had to be asked. Gatland has spoken openly about his disappointment at how some of his former charges openly criticised him through the press while Wales were in the middle of the worst losing run in their history. But as a board member, Roberts had a duty to hold Gatland to account in meetings behind the scenes, and does not regret doing so. 'It's hard and it has been difficult at times,' admits the 38-year-old. 'There's a reason you are there. You've got to embrace it and you can't shy away from it. 'I never had any problem doing that, and I'd like to think he never had any problem with me doing it. 'This is an elite sport. Anyone who can't accept being challenged shouldn't be working in it, quite frankly. 'It's only that challenge that's going to improve environments and performances. We've all got opinions about the game, but bringing the right experience to the room and bringing that right challenge is absolutely critical for us to move forward. 'It can't become group-think. It has to be experienced people through different lines of work challenging everything and making sure we have the right things in place. 'I've no problem challenging people or receiving it. I lived a life previously where teammates of mine were blunt with each other. We all wanted the same thing at the end of the day and that's to win. Achieving that is what the top level of the game is about. That comes very easily for me.' Roberts was on the interviewing panel for the new director of rugby and elite performance, with Dave Reddin the successful candidate, and his expertise will no doubt be called upon to appoint the new head coach. He is supremely confident that Reddin is the right person as director of rugby, and is optimistic the WRU will make the right decision when it comes to deciding Gatland's long-term successor. 'I think we are on the right track, but Dave has a huge challenge ahead of him,' he said. 'It's about optimising everything in the game in Wales. It's about making sure the right people in the right places are doing the right thing to allow our talent to thrive. It is as simple as that. 'The coaching piece is absolutely critical for our medium to long-term success because whoever comes into that role, I think there's a duty to coach our coaches and make sure that our regional coaches are upskilled, while also making sure they feel inspired and have aspirations to reach the top level of the game. 'I've certainly sat in meetings where the head coaching position has been discussed, and that work is ongoing now. I'm a phone call away from being asked for my advice. That's how non-executive work works. You are not necessarily always in the room but if Abi [Tierney, ] wants somebody to lean on with their rugby experience, then I'm there. 'That's going to be a thorough process and the right guy for the job at this current time for this group and what they need to strive to achieve. 'There's going to be a whole host of factors there, from what coaches are available to what coaches are out of contract, what coaches want the job, what qualities each candidate would bring to the role and the make-up of his assistant coaches. 'There's so many moving parts there, but we need the right people in the room making the best decisions possible for our talent to thrive and move Welsh rugby forward.' For Welsh rugby to flourish once more, its four professional clubs – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – need to be competing at the top end of the United Rugby Championship and European competitions. Over the past few years it has been very tough going, but this season there have been green shoots of recovery, both with the professional clubs and within the pathway. Roberts, who played for Cardiff, Racing 92, Harlequins, Bath, Dragons, Stormers and Waratahs during his career, is adamant that Welsh rugby has some world-class talent who will flourish if nurtured correctly. 'If you look at the midfield, there's so many young players who look like they have the ingredients to be world-class players,' said Roberts. 'There's some in the midfield who have had their opportunity with Wales over the last few years, whether that's Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn and Macs Page. 'These players have all the tools. There's also Louie Hennessey at Bath, Bryn Bradley at Harlequins and Steff Emanuel at Cardiff. 'How do we take these players to the next level? How do you take these young players and turn them into world-class players? That's what we must strive for. 'The obvious metric for success is trophies and competing. Whenever you set yourself a goal, it is about being realistic and what we want in the future. For me, this is about sustainable and continued success. It's not the boom and bust that has been a part of our past. "It's about regularly competing in play-offs in the league and Europe. We want to be in the top two or three in the Six Nations every year and the knockout stages of the World Cup. Regularly being there has to be a goal for our national and club sides. Every World Cup – that has to be the minimum standard.' In both the NHS and the WRU, Jamie Roberts is committing himself to service – not for applause, but to help rebuild and inspire two institutions at the heart of Welsh life.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Jamie Roberts: My big career announcement and the truth about my WRU job
Jamie Roberts: My big career announcement and the truth about my WRU job Wales rugby legend Jamie Roberts has given his life to rugby. Now, many years after initially studying medicine, he will begin work in Welsh hospitals Former Wales rugby player, Jamie Roberts, is returning to his medical career (Image: Rob Browne ) Jamie Roberts has never been one to shirk a challenge. The 38-year-old has always thrived under pressure, with his 94 Wales caps, three Six Nations titles along with the pivotal roles he played on two British & Irish Lions tours all being a testament to his resilience. Now, three years after his retirement from playing professional rugby and over a decade after finishing his initial medical degree, Roberts will finally begin working as a resident doctor this summer. Sitting in his home in Cardiff, Roberts explains his return to medicine and the challenges that await him with as much excitement as he ever did when doing media interviews as a player. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. 'I crave pressure, responsibility and accountability,' Roberts tells WalesOnline 'It has taken me a while to work out exactly what I miss from the game, and that's it. I miss the pressure and doing something that brings with it pressure and scrutiny. Article continues below 'Of course I miss the lads, I miss the changing room and I miss the social side of rugby probably above all else. 'I love problem-solving, I love working with people and I guess when you go through that soul-searching when you retire, you try to narrow down what you really love and what you really want to go after. 'Medicine and being a doctor ticks a lot of boxes. It's problem-solving, it's in science, it's working with people, it brings significant pressure and responsibility. I can't wait to join another great team in the NHS.' Roberts' path back towards medicine began a few months ago with long hours studying ahead of an exam in November, which he passed with flying colours. As a result, the former centre will begin practising as a junior doctor in Llandough Hospital in Cardiff this summer. Roberts will have to take two foundation years before settling on what area of medicine to specialise in the long run. 'There's an exam once a year – once every November – if you want to get back into clinical medicine the following August, because the intake runs in the academic year,' he says. 'I sat an exam in Manchester in November. I gave myself three or four weeks' prep and I was in the library in the Heath spending many long evenings. 'They can examine you on anything, so you have to revise everything. That was challenging, having been out of it for over 12 years. 'So if you've graduated and you've not started that foundation year within two years, you have to resit this exam. 'It's a clinical exam – 12 stations with actors and they can ask you anything. 'It was an amazing feeling, passing that exam, because you are on your path then. 'The NHS is probably more flexible now than it has been previously. I get pre-allocated to Cardiff and Vale health board. 'I have young children, so you can apply for something called pre-allocation, which allows you to work in your local health board. 'I'm starting at Llandough, which is my first rotation on geriatrics, and then I've got my other five rotations at the Heath for the next couple of years. I think I've got A&E, emergency medicine, trauma orthopedics, cardiovascular medicine, respiratory medicine and colorectal surgery. 'So you can pro rata your time commitment and salary I guess for 50% all the way to 100%. So I've applied for 70%-80%, which gives me that day off in the week to allow me to stay involved in the game.' Roberts at home in Cardiff As we chat, Roberts asks whether I have been watching the BBC documentary series Saving Lives in Cardiff. The documentary follows a group of talented doctors and surgeons working at the Heath Hospital, officially known as the University Hospital of Wales (UHW), which highlights the huge pressure on the NHS. There is the daily dilemma of potentially having to cancel operations, either because of a lack of beds or a more urgent case. But these surgeons work minor miracles on a daily basis to not only save lives under intense pressure but also improve the patients' standard of living. Roberts is clearly inspired by what he has seen and is ready to add value to the NHS. 'Therein lies that pressure, and I'm a massive fan of people who work in healthcare,' says Roberts. 'I was watching on TV the other night Saving Lives in Cardiff and I had goosebumps watching that and thinking how much of a privilege it is going into that setting to join that team. 'As a student, I've scrubbed up in some operations and been in the operating room during ACL reconstructions and amputations. 'I'm in awe of these people. It's an actual privilege for me to be joining those people and joining a team of healthcare specialists. 'Whenever anyone goes into hospital, it is still humbling to see the effort and work which goes into treating patients. 'I'm under no illusions of how challenging it will be and how much I need to learn. Even just looking at one medical textbook now, I go 'wow!' 'The volume and intensity of work is immense, but that's the challenge. 'When players retire, if you take the whole-life approach, you've got 30 years of life ahead of you. You invest in a career that has longevity and there's a clear path. 'That's one of the great things in medicine. There's a clear pathway of things you want to work in. 'You get fulfillment from seeing people under your care get better. There's a reason people see a GP – they are not well. 'It's a privilege to be able to go into it because you are contributing to people's health at the end of the day. That's the buzz and appeal. 'There's a lot of discourse around the health service and the challenges it is facing, but to me therein lies the challenge and appeal about going into that, rolling my sleeves up and giving it everything I've got.' Roberts remains an influential Welsh rugby figure (Image: Rob Browne ) Once his foundation years are complete, Roberts will have to make a choice. He has a fair idea of what road to go down, but admits his feelings might change over time. 'If you were to ask me now, it would be to become an orthopedic surgeon, but that's a decade's training, but with my whole-life hat on, that's 10 years out of 30,' he explains. 'Because of my background in sport trauma, orthopedic surgery appeals straight away. I loved learning about injuries when I had them and my fellow players [did]. I took a real interest in it whenever players got injured, and found it fascinating – the process of surgery and the rehabilitation process as well. 'When you go through that as a player, you feel like you learn more. I was really invested in that when I got injured.' It would be an understatement to say Roberts is a busy man, and it is a wonder he has time to conduct this interview, given his numerous responsibilities. While rugby and medicine are huge passions of his, Roberts is a family man. The former Wales centre and his wife Nicole have two young children – Elodie and Tomos – and are expecting a third child in the very near future. Roberts is also a well-respected pundit, regularly appearing on BBC Scrum V, ITV's Six Nations coverage, Premier Sports and TNT Sports. Despite hanging up his boots a few years ago, Roberts is contributing to Welsh rugby as much as he ever did as a player, as a non-executive director on the Welsh Rugby Union board. Roberts couldn't have been a member of the WRU board at a more important time. Welsh rugby has gone through a turbulent period over the past couple of years. The senior men's national side have lost a record 17 Test matches in succession, and have taken home the Six Nations wooden spoon for the second year running. This is a far cry from Roberts' playing career and those of his teammates, with Wales winning six Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams between 2005 and 2021, while they also reached two Rugby World Cup semi-finals. 'Board meetings recently have been a lot more frequent because there's been a lot of work going on around the PRA and with Cardiff, especially,' he said. 'It's usually a couple of commitments or a couple of days a month, if not once a week more recently. There's board meetings and different committee meetings whether that's meeting people in the evenings making sure everything is done properly. 'I guess my contribution is to leverage my experiences and my past life into better decision-making at the WRU. Of course, I've had my playing and life experiences, but besides that there's going to be other people there with far more commercial experience, legal experience or financial experiences. That's the purpose of a multi-functioning board. You have all these experiences from various walks of life. Mine is coming from Welsh rugby, is coming from the heart and what I've experienced in the game in Wales. 'The decision-makers are always open to that insight and I'd like to think I've played an important part in adding that rugby player lens to the decision-making. At the end of the day, we all love Welsh rugby and we want to see it succeed. 'It's about putting the right pieces of the jigsaw in place to allow us to do that.' As a WRU board member, Roberts' role naturally involves challenging and holding to account those in positions of power within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby. He owes much to his former coach Warren Gatland, but given Wales' wretched run of form during the latter part of the New Zealander's second stint in charge, some serious questions had to be asked. Gatland has spoken openly about his disappointment at how some of his former charges openly criticised him through the press while Wales were in the middle of the worst losing run in their history. But as a board member, Roberts had a duty to hold Gatland to account in meetings behind the scenes, and does not regret doing so. 'It's hard and it has been difficult at times,' admits the 38-year-old. 'There's a reason you are there. You've got to embrace it and you can't shy away from it. 'I never had any problem doing that, and I'd like to think he never had any problem with me doing it. 'This is an elite sport. Anyone who can't accept being challenged shouldn't be working in it, quite frankly. 'It's only that challenge that's going to improve environments and performances. We've all got opinions about the game, but bringing the right experience to the room and bringing that right challenge is absolutely critical for us to move forward. 'It can't become group-think. It has to be experienced people through different lines of work challenging everything and making sure we have the right things in place. 'I've no problem challenging people or receiving it. I lived a life previously where teammates of mine were blunt with each other. We all wanted the same thing at the end of the day and that's to win. Achieving that is what the top level of the game is about. That comes very easily for me.' Roberts was on the interviewing panel for the new director of rugby and elite performance, with Dave Reddin the successful candidate, and his expertise will no doubt be called upon to appoint the new head coach. He is supremely confident that Reddin is the right person as director of rugby, and is optimistic the WRU will make the right decision when it comes to deciding Gatland's long-term successor. 'I think we are on the right track, but Dave has a huge challenge ahead of him,' he said. 'It's about optimising everything in the game in Wales. It's about making sure the right people in the right places are doing the right thing to allow our talent to thrive. It is as simple as that. 'The coaching piece is absolutely critical for our medium to long-term success because whoever comes into that role, I think there's a duty to coach our coaches and make sure that our regional coaches are upskilled, while also making sure they feel inspired and have aspirations to reach the top level of the game. 'I've certainly sat in meetings where the head coaching position has been discussed, and that work is ongoing now. I'm a phone call away from being asked for my advice. That's how non-executive work works. You are not necessarily always in the room but if Abi [Tierney, ] wants somebody to lean on with their rugby experience, then I'm there. 'That's going to be a thorough process and the right guy for the job at this current time for this group and what they need to strive to achieve. 'There's going to be a whole host of factors there, from what coaches are available to what coaches are out of contract, what coaches want the job, what qualities each candidate would bring to the role and the make-up of his assistant coaches. 'There's so many moving parts there, but we need the right people in the room making the best decisions possible for our talent to thrive and move Welsh rugby forward.' For Welsh rugby to flourish once more, its four professional clubs – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – need to be competing at the top end of the United Rugby Championship and European competitions. Over the past few years it has been very tough going, but this season there have been green shoots of recovery, both with the professional clubs and within the pathway. Roberts, who played for Cardiff, Racing 92, Harlequins, Bath, Dragons, Stormers and Waratahs during his career, is adamant that Welsh rugby has some world-class talent who will flourish if nurtured correctly. 'If you look at the midfield, there's so many young players who look like they have the ingredients to be world-class players,' said Roberts. 'There's some in the midfield who have had their opportunity with Wales over the last few years, whether that's Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn and Macs Page. 'These players have all the tools. There's also Louie Hennessey at Bath, Bryn Bradley at Harlequins and Steff Emanuel at Cardiff. 'How do we take these players to the next level? How do you take these young players and turn them into world-class players? That's what we must strive for. 'The obvious metric for success is trophies and competing. Whenever you set yourself a goal, it is about being realistic and what we want in the future. For me, this is about sustainable and continued success. It's not the boom and bust that has been a part of our past. "It's about regularly competing in play-offs in the league and Europe. We want to be in the top two or three in the Six Nations every year and the knockout stages of the World Cup. Regularly being there has to be a goal for our national and club sides. Every World Cup – that has to be the minimum standard.' Article continues below In both the NHS and the WRU, Jamie Roberts is committing himself to service – not for applause, but to help rebuild and inspire two institutions at the heart of Welsh life.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rugby star Jamie Roberts 'excited' to become junior doctor
Former Wales rugby international Jamie Roberts says he is "ready" and "excited" to become a junior doctor and complete his medical training in the NHS. Twelve years after graduating from Cardiff University's school of medicine, the former British and Irish Lion will begin two years of foundation training in hospitals in south Wales. Roberts won 94 caps for Wales and was the British and Irish Lions' Player of the Series following their tour of South Africa in 2009, before being selected again for the Australia tour in 2013. The 38-year-old said rugby had given him "some of the best experiences" of his life and he was "looking forward to the same in a medical career". Roberts volunteering for the NHS Roberts stands by honest comments on Gatland's Wales Homeless charity finds rugby star's lost jerseys Roberts made his debut for Wales against Scotland in 2008, while he was a medical student. "I always wanted to play rugby. It was a passion of mine," Roberts told BBC News. "I loved the sport, I still do and it will stay with me forever. But I was a problem-solver at school. "I love maths and I love science and I love people, I guess. And medicine was the perfect fit and ticked a lot of boxes for me." In the UK, medical training involves an undergraduate degree which usually takes five years to complete, followed by a two-year foundation programme when trainees become junior doctors and are paid a salary. It took Roberts seven years to complete his undergraduate degree because of his commitments with Wales, the Lions and Cardiff Blues. "I reflect on it now and I wonder how on earth I did that. You know, the enthusiasm of youth helps. I was very busy. I was very driven," he said. He sat his final undergraduate exams in 2013 - the same week that he was part of a Wales side which won the Six Nations after defeating England by 30-3 - and graduated a few months later. "You know, we won the tournament here [in Cardiff], and then a month or two later - having sat my medical finals in that Wales v England week - I got my exam results," he recalled. "I guess it was the culmination of a lot of hard work over both disciplines." After graduating, Roberts spent the next decade focused on his rugby career, playing at centre for several clubs including Racing Metro, Harlequins, Bath, Dragons and Waratahs. But academia continued to give the aspiring doctor the escape from rugby he said he "craved", and he completed postgraduate degrees at both Loughborough University and Cambridge University. He became a father in 2021, before retiring from rugby the following year. "When you finish playing rugby, you know, when people ask you what you're doing it's sometimes challenging when you can't really answer that question and you're doing random bits and bobs," he said. In November 2023, Roberts passed a "return to medicine" exam which allowed him to resume his medical training. So, in which field does he hope to specialise? "I was obviously very interested in my own injuries. I had quite a few big ones," he said. "Reconstructive surgery to quite a few of my joints, a fractured skull as well. "Whether I can foresee a future in sports medicine, or orthopaedics, that's what I'm naturally leaning towards." Roberts follows in the footsteps of several other Wales internationals who turned their hands to medicine, including Dr Jack Matthews, orthopaedic surgeon JPR Williams, former captain Dr Gwyn Jones and, more recently, Hallam Amos. "I've a massive amount of respect for everyone who works for the NHS," said Roberts. "I've no doubt it's challenging at times and I've no doubt I'm going to feel that, but again that's the challenge isn't it. It rewards you in many different ways, so I'm looking forward to it." As one of the most familiar faces in Welsh sport, Roberts said being recognised by patients was "always great." "People love rugby in Wales. As a student that had its rewards for me - it's a great way of connecting with people and again, I'm excited by that." Reflecting on his sporting career, Roberts added: "I gave the game everything I had and it roared at me in such amazing ways. "It's given me some of the best experiences of my life and I'm looking forward to the same in a medical career." Medic uses Roberts' flat for virus fight Wales have 100 days to turn into world beaters
