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Fans' verdict on whether Jamie Roberts, last capped in 2017, should be recalled by Wales
By Josh Raisey
Jamie Roberts appears to have the backing of the Welsh public for a Test recall after working his way back into contention this season. The 34-year-old returned to Welsh rugby last year after a seven-year hiatus, teaming up with Dean Ryan’s Dragons and looks to be playing his best rugby in years.
That is not to say that his standard had dropped prior to his switch to Newport - in fact, the centre’s stint with the Stormers in Super Rugby in early 2020 was brief but emphatic.
He carried the form he showed in South Africa into this season and the murmurs surrounding a Test recall have grown as the Dragons campaign has progressed. His try-scoring display against the Ospreys last weekend did his cause no harm, albeit in a losing effort.
Sean Holley posed the question on Twitter on whether Roberts is working his way into Wayne Pivac’s Six Nations squad and the response was resounding as many regard him as the best centre in Wales at the moment.
Pivac has not landed on his ideal midfield partnership so far in his tenure. That has largely been a result of injuries, but it is not often that an international coach who is still deciding on their best team has the opportunity to turn to a player with the experience and proven track record in Test rugby as Roberts.
The former Cardiff Blues man has not played for his country since November 2017, but he has not hidden his ambition to play again. A recall would carry even more weight for the Welshman as he sits on 97 Test caps, three of which are for the British and Irish Lions.
The next two weekends of European rugby have been suspended, which means Roberts does not have another club chance to stake his claim for selection. But many Welsh fans do not think that is necessary.
Perfect guy to have in the squad on form but also in terms of experience-would help young centres like Johnny Williams, Owen Watkin.
No AWJ will leaves a gap in the on-field leadership group - Jamie fits the bill perfectly. Should have been in the squad for the Autumns.
— Gari Jenkins (@garijenkins78) January 12, 2021
And he’ll shift up a gear with a welsh shirt on. I said he should be back in the welsh squad a while back to @benjames1796
— geraint williams (@geraintwillia11) January 12, 2021
How can the Welsh management not pick him on his current form? Easily the best centre in Wales atm!! ? ???????
— james davies (@welshrugby10) January 12, 2021
Yes, but only if he isn't used as a one trick-crashball-pony! @Jamiehuwroberts was always much more than a great defender and battering ram.
— Jonathan Cowley (@MadrasHotJonny) January 12, 2021
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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