Busy week: Jamie Roberts
Jamie Roberts is well aware of what's at stake when Wales face Grand Slam-chasing England in the Six Nations title decider on Saturday, billing it "the Test match of all Test matches".
Roberts, Welsh rugby's most famous medical student since legendary full-back JPR Williams was revising in between brilliant displays in the 1970s, is due to sit two more exams this week in his ongoing quest to qualify as a doctor.
The Blues centre, who featured in Wales's 28-18 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday that kept the second-placed reigning champions in title contention, will be confronted by one paper on Monday and another on Thursday.
However, the British and Irish Lion is adamant he will be focused on the task at hand come Saturday's kick-off at the Millennium Stadium, where a win by eight points or more would assure Wales of a successful title defence and end England's bid for a first Grand Slam since their World Cup-winning year of 2003.
"It's a busy week," Roberts said. "But my focus is as soon as training finishes it switches, then when I arrive at The Vale (Wales' training base) it switches again.
"It's been the same for the last seven or eight years, and it is no different this week.
"I wouldn't want it any other way, really. I've always said since I left school that it was something I wanted to do."
England have never travelled to Cardiff looking to secure a Grand Slam although Wales denied them a clean sweep at Wembley in 1999 when the old National Stadium was being transformed into the Millennium Stadium.
In the years leading up to their World Cup triumph, England several times fell at the final Six Nations hurdle and Roberts was relishing the prospect of inflicting more Grand Slam pain on Wales's fiercest rivals.
"It's fantastic isn't it," Roberts said. "That is the challenge for us, but it is not spoiling it for them, it's about beating England at home. It's the ultimate game.
"Defensively we have been very solid and it is a great run of results we are on. We've got the victories, we've dug in deep. It hasn't been the prettiest but that is what rugby away from home is all about.
"First and foremost it is about Wales winning the game next week. We are the home team and whatever England did against Italy (scrape an 18-11 win at Twickenham on Sunday) was out of our hands.
"We can only focus on what we can focus on, and that's training well and preparing well for a Test match which is the Test match of all Test matches.
"We are playing England at home and from the players to everyone in the country will be bouncing next weekend."
Since their first round loss to Ireland, Wales have gone three matches without conceding a try and have won their last five away Six Nations fixtures.
By contrast, however, Wales have lost their last five matches at the Millennium Stadium, with Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland all triumphing in Cardiff.
"Our last three results have been based on a solid defence," Roberts said.
"The three games have been defensive games when conditions dictated.
"We've defended very well. To not concede a try in the last three games is pretty pleasing, but we will be facing a different animal next weekend.
"As a back-line you want to be able to show what you can do and maybe over the last three games we haven't had a chance to do that.
"Hopefully, next weekend, we can display that. As I say, we've gone up to Edinburgh and won and everyone is really happy, but we know next Saturday goes up another level.
"Across the park, it is a magnificent Test match. England coming for a Grand Slam in Cardiff is the stuff we dream of playing in as Welsh players."
Comments
GoWalesGo says...
trelawney
The Article is titled "Two exams and a Test for Roberts"
My comments were a lot more relevant than your's mate
Posted 13:33 12th March 2013
trelawney says...
To all you posters.
Thank you for all your wonderful posts, apart from goWalesGo who says "perhaps this is why is performance" etc, there have been no arguments etc. All posts have been for good rugby no matter which team the player plays for.
When I arrived (1969) in this country I supported the Welsh because they played wonderful rugby, unfortunately (for them) everybody else has caught up with them,
I now support England (through heritage).
I would like to know from any one of you: which is the greatest (televised)game of rugby you have ever seen? I suggest the Barbarians v All Blacks at Crdiff in the4 mid '70's.
Please all of you enjoy and support the great Game of Rugby Union.
Posted 02:35 12th March 2013
jprees says...
He'd have plenty more time on his hands if he didn't do an interview every sodding week! Don't hear half as much from the rest of the squad combined as from Roberts.
Posted 20:47 11th March 2013
cymro says...
To those who wonder about this 'hatred of the English'...how would you feel towards a country that tried to stamp out your language and culture. Even up until as recently as the early 20th century, welsh primary school children were beaten if they were caught speaking Welsh.
These days the battle is kept to eighty minutes, once a year, and when it's Lions o'clock, we stand shoulder to shoulder. ;-)
Posted 20:06 11th March 2013
heathy says...
@ Funkchicken ¿ A good post matey and I understand your points. In fairness, you may be correct in the fact that this issue has been stronger since the 90¿s. My point is why? When I dig, nobody knows. Listen, I love the Welsh and their passion. It puts the English to shame sometimes in this regard. In the 90¿s England were not always the best team so why limit the angst towards them? I know what you are saying but you and I know it goes deeper than that and it is something that is doctrinated. It is pretty rare in Cardiff though but not when you get further out. I also agree on the footy comment 100%. I¿m not off to the pub Saturday, I¿m going to the game. To be fair, I¿m shitting myself as I know we should win but Wales have got all the tools to have a blinder and they are certainly due one. Eek.
@ Monkeyboy ¿ When the game went professional clubs were all over the place. Benefactors came in and players changed around like billyo. It was the same for all countries. The Welsh mind you were way behind in sorting themselves out and if we are all honest here, they still are. You can¿t blame the ¿odd¿ Welsh player playing in England in the 90¿s to the attitude of today. At that time, it ¿helped¿ the Welsh national side.
BBC is broadcast out of England so will be led by English journalists. So are the papers. I actually don¿t think they are that bias and always have punditry with the opposing side, even the commentating. What exactly did you expect? I live in Wales and watch the Welsh BBC. It is ALL about Wales as I would expect!! Come on Monkeyboy, is that it?? Please have more than that! When it comes down to it, there is no ¿actual¿ substance based debate. Scott Quinnell going to Richmond in the 90¿s and John Inverdale talking about the English to Jiffy and Keith Wood is very weak.
Posted 18:50 11th March 2013
Funkychicken says...
@ Healthy
I can empathise with you to a certain degree. I live in Cardiff, and I have seen the nasty side of the welsh support which you are referring to.
I would make the following points though:
The 'as long as we beat the English we don't care' attitude we had is very 90's / early 00's. We were absolutely terrible then and 1 or 2 wins in a championship was the best we could hope for. Beating England was huge then, mainly because you were one of the best sides in the world. Don't get me wrong, you're pretty good now. Its probably still around, but no where near as much as it used to be,
The feeling I get from my mates in Cardiff lately is we would would rather win a Championship and lose to England, as opposed to come fourth and beat England (not possible in this years championship I know). This has come about more since the slam in 05 and we've had a but more self confidence supporting our team.
I cringe when I see the 'nasty' rugby supporter. Its embarrassing but its pretty rare as well. The minority in this instance can make the most noise and tend to be more memorable than the well behaved? I just make the point as your original post seems to suggest the Welsh as a nation have a chip on their shoulder based on rugby support. It wouldn't be fair of me to judge the English based on the their behaviour at football matches. In my experience I think the English Rugby fans are well behaved by the way and all good lads.
I would be off down the pub on Saturday if I was you mind. It's got to be hard work at home with your mrs and daughter both supporting Wales!
Have a good one.
Posted 16:37 11th March 2013
Monkeyboy says...
Melkdave - We've had this discussion before. You claim the Pro12 is meaningless, but that's by your own standards. The Pro12 is more geared to developing talent that plays rugby that doesn't involve bludgeoning forward battles. Yes I do realise the irony coming after that match and Wales' general recent play, but I'm yearning for the day that such swift players as Eli Walker can strut his stuff on the big stage.
The essence of my point is that the Pro12 teams prioritise the HC, so use the league to prepare for it. We can't afford to splash out on rugby league converts or import lads from the SH so need to develop our own.
Posted 16:18 11th March 2013
OzinLondon says...
As an Aussie I don't think the English press (as annoying as they can be) or the loudmouth arrogant English rugby fan (as annoying as they can be) are any worse than the Aussie, Kiwi, Saffa, Irish, Welsh or Scottish press or loudmouth rugby fans.
I do, however, have one exception who I think very much adds to the perception of bias on the BBC each year when the 6N comes around... John Inverdale. What a goose... I can't listen to the bloke...
"So Wales and Irelend play out a 32 all draw... 12 tries... end to end stuff... great skill... one of the best 6Ns games ever.... So Jerry, one question, do you think England will beat Italy next week? Jonathan, just how good is England?"
Posted 16:14 11th March 2013
heathy says...
@ Welshy - Good stuff. I'm beathing, I'm breathing............ phew!! In all seriousness, I'm only replying to questions and it seems as though it is a pet hatred subject for me. It isn't. For the record, I'm English (as you know) but married to a Welsh girl with a Welsh daughter living in Cardiff. As it happens Cardiff is a beaze regarding the rivalry compared to other parts of Wales. It does make me laugh though as to when I dig a bit I find an empty vacuum. The banter is great. The nasty stuff isn't and you lot can and do get nasty when it all goes wrong against England. I just hope it gets nasty this weekend ha ha. In truth, as bad as Wales have been by their standards, we all know they can play and if they do on Saturday, it will be interesting and my sphincter will be twitching big time.
Posted 15:28 11th March 2013
melkdave says...
This perhaps might sound curlish comming from an England supporter.But i do hope J.Roberts plays next Saturday.This week is going to be mentally and physically draning for him.Long hours revising,sleepless nights before and after the exams,and all the tension of a grand slam match on top to boot.Wales imo,would be better actually playing S.Williams alongside J.Davies,but hey its not my decision .
@Monkeyboy
English clubs didnt hoover up welsh talant.The players decided to leave because they where offered more money,and better working conditions such as training facuties ect,same for the present exodus to France. Wouldnt you do exactly the same,if offered more money and better working / living conditions ect.If not your a fool,and if so have nothing to complain about.As to the HC the present format for qualification is a joke,and everyone knows it.When 10 teams from one league are gaurenteed qualification,they have no need to actually earn it,and the league suffers because of it.Your attitude is the main reason why 1 or 2 welsh clubs could fold in the comming years,and Scotland could be down to just one club.No one wants to watch meaningless matches,and thats what most Pro12 matches are.MEANINGLESS
Posted 14:51 11th March 2013
Monkeyboy says...
Heathy- Do you remember the 90s when the game went professional? Your guys threw money around like no ones business. A lot of welsh players left for such great clubs as Richmond et al. To say that issues from further back than a few years should be consigned to the dust bin is plainly ludicrous. Welsh clubs bankrupted themselves to keep talent home. Thus the regional era was thrust upon us, and now that reduction in clubs now warrants the English cries of unfairness in the HC.
The problem with your view on the tribalism of ScrumV is that it is on a welsh BBC channel. Your BBC is meant to be a national channel catering for all parts of the UK.
Although I do agree with you on the wide range of emotive language used when we win (countered by the more extreme emotions when we lose). We do need a smidgeon of level headedness.
The TV rights negotiation was meant to be conducted as a group for the European games, but the English went ahead & did it on their own. Fair enough negotiate the rights to your domestic game, we have nothing to do with that. So your arguments are slightly disingenuous.
I also feel strongly about the distortion occurring because of the French moneybags, but I suspect that will be another issue raised if the French lose against the Scots.
Your last comment adds weight to the theory that you guys love to stick to the letter of the law, but not the spirit of it...
Much love.
Posted 14:41 11th March 2013
Welshy says...
Hi Heathy. Ah, bless. If it were any other nation than Wales you wouldn't be getting so worked up about it. Calm down dear, otherwise you're going to have a heart attack before the week's out. I know it hurts when so much is at stake, but deep breaths and you should be ok. Try coping with 3 grand slams in 7 years. Now that was nerve wracking. Oh and I agree with your comments, Heathy, about the poor standard of the sides in the 6N this year. So the Grand Slam probably not worth having. What do you think, Heathy. Breath in and out and in and out. :)
Posted 14:19 11th March 2013
Welshy says...
Ahhh, ArmchairGeneral. The worst kind of English arrogance displayed in your post. The reverse praise arrogance. Clever but we saw straight through you.... Only Kidding. Look let's just enjoy what will hopefully be a fantastic day of rugby. England have been the most consistent side (40 mins against Italy aside) and thoroughly deserve their shot at the slam. Wales have come back from a thoroughly mediocre stint since 6N last year. They are not playing great rugby at the moment and have much to do if they are to prevail against a highly organised and proficient English team. Good old fashioned tribal rivalry at its best and yes Jamie Robert's is right, its what any rugby player would want the opportunity of being involved in. An international derby match with a great deal hanging on it. So here's to England and Wales and my the best team win. I BELIEVE!!!
Posted 14:12 11th March 2013
heathy says...
@ ArmchairGeneral - Whaaaat??? England MUST beat this not so great Welsh side to make this all worth while and a step in the right direction. To come this far, playing the better rugby than all the other nations and then lose to Wales at the final hurdle would be a backwards step. Now, just before anybody gets on their high horse, it doesn't mean England are going to win. No, no. no. We can't just stroll into Cardiff and think it is all over. Wales will be wanting this one more than any other, especially considering the circumstances with the Grand Slam. If Wales were playing any other side it wouldn't matter. With England it will. England have been the most consistent side and on that basis deserve to win the Championship (or even the Grand Slam). Wales have, by their standards, not been that great BUT have got into a position where they could take the spoils. IMO this has been more to do with the poor rugby from the sides they have played against rather than the Welsh playing particularly well. However, all of that is out of the window come Saturday. Wales could play their best game by a million miles and England could have a mare. That is all it takes. So, to get this far and blow it WOULD be shameful at this stage. It would show that when it comes to the crunch, England still have a long way to go. Forget New Zealand and how good we were then. We actually haven't got anywhere near those hights this tournament. This is a must win game. Nothing else will do if progress is the key word. I'm suprised you think differently. Do I think we will win? On form over the tournament comp[ared to Wales, we should comfortably. Will we? I really don't know.
Posted 14:06 11th March 2013
heathy says...
@ Welshoz - I completely agree with rivalry and all that comes with it. It is the case in virtually all sports pretty much without exception. That is something I get and whole heartedly embrace. It makes things spicy for good reasons.
My issue is that in Wales it is different. It isn't a rivalry it is borderline hatred. However, the hatred is for reasons that are historic which has nothing to do with sport or actually anything bar politics maybe and past battles. History says that we haven't been kind to the Welsh. However, we are going back hundreds of years. So much so that you could quote battles all day and think that everybody hates everybody. Do we hate the Italians/Romans? Blinking heck, we should do if we follow the theme. It IS silly. It is doctrinated into the children in Wales and you can now ask most Welsh people why they hate the English and they actually don't know. We then get the spluttering of arrogant, the media, money, politics and when you knuckle down into that (as they get all that wrong too and in most cases are even worse) then they don't have an argument at all. It is all based on hearsay. That, to me, is silly.
Posted 13:49 11th March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
As an Emgland fan there is no shame in coming second to this great Welsh team who have gas in the tank for this game. I think we would enter into 2014 with clear improvement path. I expect a tournament win from England but the reality is if Wales put in a great game we probably will not win or get the tournament. Maybe next year. Well done Wales.
Posted 12:04 11th March 2013
heathy says...
@ Monkeyboy - You see, this is probably why I¿m a little perplexed as you are one of many that think this way with, when we actually analyse what you are saying, no justifiable reason at all. It seems as if you are trying to cling onto something and make it into a genuine argument. However, you are not alone.
Let¿s take the first point where the English clubs have ¿hoovered up¿ Welsh rugby talent. How many of the current squad play in the Aviva Premiership? There must be loads surely as we have ¿hoovered¿ them all up. Have a count. Plus the fact it is the player¿s choice where they play.
So, the way our media talk about England when other teams are playing? Really? So, nobody talks about ANY OTHER team apart from England? Oh, please. That just isn¿t true. That smacks of chip on the shoulder stuff. Do you listen to the Welsh channels? The Welsh fans? Flipping heck, if they get a win they are world beaters. Do you see the adverts? Come on mate, it is as tribal over in Wales as it is in any other nation and more so. However, I wouldn¿t expect anything less. I don¿t cry about it though.
We are entitled to negotiate our own contract for viewing rights. As are every other nation. Therefore that is a non argument. You are in exactly the same position. There is NOTHING done behind ANYBODY¿S back so that again is a chip on the shoulder argument which just isn¿t true.
So, we haven¿t got any of your talent (best speak to France about that or are they okay as France are not England?), TV punditry doesn¿t talk about England more than any other nation and certainly no more than the Welsh do themselves and we have NO influence on your rugby community let alone it being negative. You have no argument. If this was used as a prosecution in a court of law, the judge would not let the trial go ahead.
Posted 12:04 11th March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Monkey boy: where to begin! " Hovering up".. Are you calling the Welsh players in England brainless inanimate objects collected by a hoover? Or perhaps they are choosing to leave? With regards to bias... Have you watched scrum V? Every audience is more interested in their own team. Get over it. I will leave it there but it's a shame to read your post.
Posted 11:57 11th March 2013
Irishzimbabwean says...
Good post Monkeyboy.
Posted 11:32 11th March 2013
Welshoz says...
Heathy raises some interesting and valid points but I suspect that he devalues the additional motivations that derive from traditional rivalry. To suggest that this rivalry is silly is frankly "silly" In Australia we have an interstate Rugby League (sorry) Competition where there is negligble difference between the ability of the sides but has been dominated by one driven by team spirit on the basis of perceived historical injustice. It seems history can be a powerful motivater
Posted 10:59 11th March 2013