Super Rugby: Waratahs could sign Jamie Roberts and Kurtley Beale

There could be a couple of older heads in the Waratahs’ Super Rugby Pacific squad next season, with Jamie Roberts and Kurtley Beale in line to head to Sydney.

Roberts, 35, is heading to Australia to join his Australian partner, who is expecting their second child in March. He has been given an early release from his contract at the Dragons to do so.

Goals

The situation is different for Beale. His contract at Racing 92 is up in June and he has made no secret of his targeting of the 2023 World Cup – which would be his fourth if he made it.

He won a recall to the Wallabies squad for last November’s Tests in Europe having not played for them since the 2019 World Cup, saying at the time: “My goal is to play in another World Cup, and to do it in France would be fantastic!

“I never said I had finished with the Wallabies or Test rugby.”

Roberts joined the Dragons in August 2020. His previous clubs include Cardiff, Harlequins and Bath, while he also spent time in South Africa with the Stormers at the start of the pandemic.

He won the last of his 94 Wales caps more than four years ago, and he also featured in three Tests for the British and Irish Lions.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving the Dragons at the end of the month,” Roberts said.

“I would like to personally thank Dean (Dragons rugby director Dean Ryan) for understanding my personal circumstances.

“As my Sydney-born partner is expecting our second child in March, we feel the best decision for our family is to be surrounded by her support network in Sydney during this period.

“Although it will be difficult leaving, I do so with many fond memories.”