Roberts tipped for Wales debut

Jan 27 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

JAMIE ROBERTS looks poised to follow in some famous footsteps against England on Saturday, writes SIMON ROBERTS.

The Blues rookie, the only uncapped player in Warren Gatland’s 28-man Wales squad, is being tipped to make his international bow at Twickenham.

And his debut will have echoes of three other full-backs who enjoyed stirring clashes against England – Keith Jarrett, JPR Williams and Anthony Clement.

All have their own particular stories to tell and should be an inspiration to the Newport-born medic.

Probably the greatest fairytale is the debut of a fellow Newport boy, Keith Jarrett, against England in 1967.

Jarrett, who went on to play rugby league for Wales, was thrown in at the deep end as an 18-year-old and scored on his debut.

It was Schoolboys’ Own stuff and 40 years later is still talked about as one of sport’s most astounding debuts by a teenager.

Then, of course, we have the record of Wales and Lions legend, JPR Williams, a doctor, over the English.

JPR will always be remembered for being the mainstay of the Wales side of the 70s which claimed three Grand Slams, in 1971, 1976 and 1978.

But another little known JPR statistic is that he scored five tries against England and, on the 10 times he played against them, he was never on the losing side.

Anthony Clement, the former Wales and Lion, is another who made a dramatic start to his Test career against the English.

‘Clem’ made his full debut, as a 20-year-old, out of position at full-back.

Normally a fly-half, he produced a fearless performance and his break led to the vital try scored by Adrian Hadley to secure the last Welsh win at Twickenham.

So the omens are good for Roberts, should he, as expected, win his first Wales cap on Saturday.

For the 21-year-old it will complete a remarkable rise and first season in the professional ranks.

The Newport-born product, who stands 6ft 4in and weighs in at 15st, is the epitome of a modern full-back.

Scott Johnson, the former Wales and Wallabies skills coach, was the first to claim Roberts was a future Welsh Test star.

He claimed that Roberts was the closest Welsh rugby had to the power and athletic prowess of Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas and reminded him of the old Wallabies full-back, Roger Gould.

Roberts sees himself as a full-back but has played most of his first full season on the wing.

Nonetheless, his elevation to the national side demonstrates the high regard he is held in within rugby circles.

But this is still only his first full season of professional rugby and he has only played 15 games for the Blues.

But the medical student, who has been more than impressive this season for his region, fully deserves his call-up ahead of the likes of Kevin Morgan and Morgan Stoddart.

He played for the Cardiff club side last season and was in the side which lost the Konica Minolta Cup final to Llandovery.

Back then it was feared he would be one of the many talents lost to Welsh rugby due his inability to commit completely to the life of a rugby player.

But this season he has successfully combined his studies and the life of a professional rugby player and that debate will finally be ended during the Six Nations.