Wales legend Jamie Roberts believes everyone has a massive role to play in defeating Covid-19 after issuing a message of support to all those fighting on the frontline.
Roberts was joined by fellow countryman George North on Wednesday evening for a live commentary of the 2013 Championship classic meeting between Wales and England.
Sports broadcaster Nick Heath was also on hand to relive the title decider in Cardiff, with viewers encouraged to donate to the Aneurin Bevan Health Charity’s Covid-19 fund.
As a qualified doctor, Roberts recently volunteered to help the NHS on his return to Wales from South Africa after contacting the Cardiff and Vale Health Board to offer his services.
And during the live stream for the Guinness Six Nations, Roberts explained why he had taken up a position as a clinical innovation fellow and sent out a message of support.
MESSAGE TO THE NHS
“I’ve volunteered to help with the NHS,” he said. “The frontline workers are working hard on the wards and I won’t be doing too much clinical work, just helping the staff at the HQ.
“I’m in north Cardiff and just offering my support wherever I can really. The first thing I’ve noticed is the last three days is just everyone playing their part in the team.
“You watch a rugby game and see how we operate as a team, everyone needs to play their part to contribute to the win, but the problem facing the public at the minute, everyone has a role to play.
“The people working in the NHS are doing an unbelievable job, the work ethic is a sight to behold.”
Roberts, who played 94 times for Wales during an illustrious career, added: “Everyone who is working in the NHS and the frontline – everyone has a massive role to play.
“It is just not doctors and nurses. It is the porters, the chefs and all the staff behind the scenes as well, they are all doing unbelievable roles.”
“It is incredible,” Wales winger North echoed. “All the frontline workers across all the country, I want to say a massive thank you from everyone. Keep doing what you are doing.
“Hopefully, we can fix this and get it sorted sooner rather than later.”
LOCKDOWN EXPERIENCES
As well as talking about the role of the NHS in combating coronavirus, both Roberts and North shared their differing experiences of lockdown during the live commentary stream.
“Lockdown has been okay,” Roberts added. “It is a privilege here to go outside and exercise because if I was still in South Africa I would not be able to do that.
“I am trying to stay fit as a professional athlete, going up the park for runs and I have some resistance bands. I am actually enjoying cooking for myself for once.
“I like to eat out so having to cook for myself every night is a challenge but I am enjoying it.”
Donate to Aneurin Bevan Health Charity’s Covid-19 fund
North, however, has bigger worries than cooking as his wife Becky James is pregnant.
“Becky is now 38 weeks pregnant so it is anytime now really,” he said.
“We have been in lockdown a little bit longer because of the government’s advice to pregnant women being at high risk. We have been doing what we can.
“The house is spotless. I am still training. I have some weights and a bike here. It is just trying to stay focussed on what is important, keeping yourself and your family safe.”
REFLECTING ON ENGLAND WIN
Roberts and North both enjoyed watching back the 2013 Round 5 classic at the Principality Stadium, where Wales triumphed 30-3 over England to win the Championship.
With England coming into the contest in Cardiff with the chance to complete the Grand Slam, Roberts admitted there was a lot of tension before the game.
“This was a Grand Slam game for England and that was a huge factor for Welsh psyche,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to walk the streets of Cardiff for a few years if we loose to England at home.”
Roberts revealed it was the first time he had watched the game back before getting nostalgic with North at the final whistle as Wales celebrated defending the Championship title.
“That is why you play sport,” North explained.
“I just remember being incredibly happy, hearing the whole crowd going crazy. I was just trying to take in the moment, savour it all because big moments like that do not come round often.”
“They really do not come round often,” Roberts replied.
“Games of this magnitude are unbelievable when you win them and are memories for life but when you lose them, as me and George have done, and a lot of the players would have one – they stay with you and motivate you in your career and future endeavours.”
All the money raised from the live commentary went to the Aneurin Bevan Health Charity’s Covid-19 fund, which is battling the crisis in one of the hardest-hit regions in the United Kingdom.
