Jamie Roberts facts for kids
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| Birth name | Jamie Huw Roberts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 8 November 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Newport, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 107 kg (16 st 12 lb; 236 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf Ysgol Y Wern |
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| University | Cardiff University University of Cambridge |
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| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jamie Huw Roberts (born 8 November 1986) is a Welsh former professional rugby union player. He mostly played as a centre.
Roberts started his career in 2005. He played for many top clubs like Cardiff RFC, Cardiff Blues, Racing Métro, and Harlequins. He also played for the Stormers, Dragons, and Waratahs.
He retired from professional rugby in 2022. During his career, he played 94 times for Wales. He also played three times for the British & Irish Lions. These tours were to South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013. Jamie also earned a master's degree from Cambridge University while playing rugby.
Contents
Jamie Roberts' Rugby Journey
Starting His Rugby Career
Jamie Roberts played for Wales at all youth levels. This included teams from Under-16 to Under-21. He was part of the Under-21 team that won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005.
During the 2005–06 season, he played for Cardiff RFC. He scored five tries in 11 games. In the next season, he scored 10 tries in 17 games.
Playing for Cardiff Blues
In 2007, Roberts joined the Cardiff Blues. He made his first appearance against the Ospreys. The Blues won that game 17–15. He quickly scored tries against the Dragons and Glasgow Warriors. His good form led to him being chosen for the Wales squad.
First Steps with Wales
Jamie Roberts made his debut for Wales in the 2008 Six Nations. He played against Scotland. Wales won the match 30–15.
Later that year, he played for Wales in South Africa. He scored his first try for Wales in a match against South Africa. He then started playing as an inside centre, a position he kept for most of his career.
Key Moments in 2008-2009
In the Autumn internationals of 2008, Roberts played in different positions for Wales. He suffered a fractured skull in a game against Australia. This injury kept him out of the game for two months.
He returned for the 2009 Six Nations. He was named "man of the match" in the opening game against Scotland. Wales went on to win the EDF Energy Cup with the Cardiff Blues.
Joining the British & Irish Lions
In April 2009, Jamie was chosen for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He was one of six players from the Cardiff Blues selected.
He played very well in the warm-up games. He scored two tries against the Golden Lions. His strong performances helped him get a spot in the main test matches.
Lions Tour to South Africa (2009)
Roberts played in the first two test matches against South Africa. He formed a strong partnership with Brian O'Driscoll. Even though the Lions lost the series, Roberts was named the "Lions Player of the Series". This was a huge honour for him.
Club and Country Success (2009-2013)
After the Lions tour, Roberts continued to play for the Cardiff Blues. He helped them win the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010. This was a big win for a Welsh team in Europe.
Wales' Grand Slams
Roberts was a key player for Wales in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He scored two tries against Fiji. Wales reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1987.
He played a big part in Wales winning two Six Nations Grand Slams. These were in 2012 and 2013. He played in every game during these successful campaigns.
Second Lions Tour (2013)
Roberts was selected for his second Lions tour in 2013. This time, the Lions toured Australia. He scored a try in the final test match. The Lions won the series 2–1, which was a great achievement.
Playing Abroad and Later Career
In 2013, Jamie moved to France to play for Racing Métro. He played there for two seasons. He continued to play for Wales during this time. He scored two tries in a big 51–3 win over Scotland in the 2014 Six Nations.
After France, he joined Harlequins in England in 2015. He also studied for a master's degree at University of Cambridge. He even played rugby for Cambridge in a special match.
Later in his career, he played for Bath, the Stormers in South Africa, and the Dragons back in Wales. His last club was the Waratahs in Australia before he retired in 2022.
Jamie Roberts' Awards and Honours
Jamie Roberts received several awards during his career:
- 2007–08 Cardiff Blues Most Promising Player
- 2009 British & Irish Lions Player of The Series
- 2009 BBC Wales Sports Personality Award Third Place
Team Honours
Wales
- Six Nations: 2008, 2012, 2013
- Grand Slam: 2008, 2012
- Triple Crown: 2008, 2012
Cardiff Blues
- Anglo-Welsh Cup: 2008–09
- European Challenge Cup: 2009–10
Jamie Roberts' Life Outside Rugby
Jamie Roberts is also a qualified doctor. He studied at Cardiff University School of Medicine for eight years. He continued his studies while playing rugby. In 2017, he completed a Master of Philosophy in medical science from Queens' College, Cambridge.
He supports the anti-smoking charity ASH Wales. Jamie is also a fluent Welsh speaker.
