Wales centre Jamie Roberts believes beating Australia with the British & Irish Lions can only make Wales a better team as they look to build on this spring’s victory in the RBS 6 Nations.
The 26-year-old recovered from a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out the first two Tests Down Under to return in Sydney, scoring in the 67th minute to put the Lions 41-16 ahead and assure a 2-1 victory in the series.
Roberts – a key component in the Welsh backline since making his debut in 2008 – was one of ten Welshmen in the starting XV that day, with an 11th in the matchday squad.
But he is also one of the survivors to have experienced the disappointment of losing the 2011 World Cup semi-final to France.
And having witnessed firsthand Wales’ struggles to beat the southern hemisphere sides in recent years, Roberts is now convinced the nature of the Lions victory will make Wales a stronger unit as they look to retain the RBS 6 Nations title in 2014.
“I didn’t see 2011 as an achievement, but as a lost opportunity,” said Roberts, who qualified as a doctor in April despite taking his final exams during the RBS 6 Nations tournament.
“We’re a better team now. I also think the experience of beating Australia with the Lions, with what was predominantly a Welsh team, is the confidence boost we need against the Tri-Nations powers.
“There should be no excuses. Maybe a few years ago the thought of ‘Little Wales’ winning the World Cup instead of New Zealand or South Africa would have made people laugh. But not now – anything can happen in a World Cup.
“In many ways becoming a doctor after eight years, considering all the pressure of being a professional rugby player, is my proudest achievement.
“A few times I had felt like packing it in, especially in my third year. There were also plenty of people, including my coaches at Cardiff, who told me I couldn’t be a professional player and a medical student at the same time.
“After I’ve retired and done a bit of travelling I’ll probably end up being an orthopaedic surgeon, operating on Welsh rugby players. I’d still be serving Welsh rugby.”
