Jamie Roberts – a giant of a centre who played for Wales and around the world

 
I met Jamie Roberts when he visited the Victoria Book Shop in Haverfordwest to sign his new book ‘Centre Stage‘ and as usual Marley Davies invited me along to interview him and my first impression was of his size - he was huge!
 
I know centres have become much bigger and stronger over the years but he was 6’5” and  weighed close on 16 stone so I reckon  he took some stopping with his direct running - and if he caught you in a tackle, it must have been a bone-jarrer!
 

Represented Wales almost a hundred times – and played for The Lions too

 
But Jamie’s was more than a mere powerhouse and he played 94 times for Wales, scoring 12 tries, alongside three tests for the British and Irish Lions in 2009 and 2013. He had taken a degree in medicine as a youngster and now that his rugby career is over, he has taken another degree (so he has several) and there was talk that he would become a doctor in general practice in South Wales.
 
His qualification as doctor came in 2013 and just four earlier, he played for The Lions in South Africa and was named ‘Lions Player of the Series’ despite their losing, and was a key player in the 2012 Grand Slam and another Championship a year later.
 
Then 2013 saw him selected for The Lions again, although he missed the first two tests but staged a miraculous recovery to partner Brian O’Driscoll in the final test win that ensured over all victory.
 

Very quiet but assured

 
Yet when he arrived at the Victoria Book Shop he was very quiet, but assured, and as we enjoyed the usual cuppa and quality biscuits with Mr Davies he said he wondered how many people would turn up for his book.
 
He was more than happy to talk about his rugby but it was noticeable how modest he was, preferring to heap praise on team mates, rather than blowing his own trumpet, which was very nice. He was quite relaxed throughout our chat on my trusty old tape recorder (phones are much better these days!)
 
He confirmed that at some stage in his life he would return to his medical studies, which he completed at Queen’s College, Cambridge and Cardiff University - and of course played for the Light Blues in a win over old rivals Oxford at Twickenham!
 

Played for Wales throughout the age groups – and a much-travelled player

 
Jamie had represented Wales from under 16 to under 21, where he helped the team to the ‘Grand Slam’ and at senior level another achievement was being a member of the Welsh team that reached the semi finals of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, before losing 9-8 against France.
 
A much-travelled player, Jamie not only played for Cardiff RFC but Cardiff Blues, Racing Metro (France), Harlequins and Bath (England),  Stormers (South Africa, plus The Dragons (back in Wales) and New South Wales Waratahs (Australia).
 
For all of them he gave 100% commitment and inevitably sustained injures but it was a pleasure to meet another top player.
 
It was also very refreshing to see his modesty about all he did - and since then has said what a privilege it now is to serve as a doctor, back in his home country and living in Cardiff.