Joe Roberts (rugby union)

Joe Roberts
Date of birth (2000-05-10) 10 May 2000 (age 24)
Place of birthSwansea, Wales
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb)
SchoolCoedcae School
Coleg Sir Gâr
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Scarlets
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Scarlets 34 (20)
2021– → Ampthill (loan) 6 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Wales U20 2 (5)
2023– Wales 2 (5)

Joe Roberts (born 10 May 2000) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Scarlets and the Wales national team.[1]

Club career

Roberts began playing rugby with the New Dock Stars RFC mini rugby team, and also played for the Bynea RFC and Burry Port RFC youth teams.[2] Roberts attended Coleg Sir Gâr, where he played for their rugby team, and came through the Scarlets academy.[3]

Roberts signed his first professional contract for the Scarlets in August 2020.[4] He played for Scarlets A in a developmental match against the Dragons on 16 October 2020.[5]

In March 2021, he joined RFU Championship side Ampthill on loan.[6] He made his debut on 7 March against Doncaster Knights, scoring a try.[7] He would go on to make a further 5 appearances before returning to the Scarlets. Roberts made his competitive debut in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup match against the Ospreys, on 8 May 2021.[8] In May 2021 Roberts signed a contract extension with the Scarlets.[9]

Roberts was named as captain for a Scarlets Development team against Ospreys A on 19 November 2021.[10] He suffered another knee injury in the final fixture of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship, which kept him out until January 2023.[11] Roberts signed an extension on 19 April 2023, along with fellow centres Eddie James and Ioan Nicholas.[11]

International career

In 2018, he was selected for Wales U18 for the U18 International Series in South Africa.[12]

Roberts was selected for Wales U20 for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, playing in two matches and scoring a try against France.[13] Roberts suffered a serious leg injury in 2019 which ruled him out of the upcoming season.[14]

On 1 May 2023, Roberts was called up to the Wales 54-man training squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[15] Roberts made his debut on 12 August 2023, starting against England in the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches.[16]

Career statistics

List of international tries

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 10 March 2024 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  France 22–20 24–45 2024 Six Nations Championship

as of 10 March 2024

References

  1. ^ "Joe Roberts". Scarlets. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Living the dream, Joe Roberts relishing central role". Scarlets Rugby. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Sir Gar the team to beat". Welsh Rugby Union. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Scarlets continue to build squad depth with 17 players signing new contracts for 2020-21". Scarlets. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  5. ^ Thomas, Simon (16 October 2020). "Scarlets thump Dragons in Welsh derby encounter". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Joe Roberts joins Ampthill on loan deal". Scarlets. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  7. ^ "1st XV 17 – 19 Doncaster Knights". Ampthill Rugby. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Pembrokeshire forwards Dom and Kemsley sign for Scarlets". Western Telegraph. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Scarlets give deals to six young players". BBC Sport. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Joe Roberts to skipper Scarlets Development against Ospreys". Scarlets Rugby. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Centre trio sign new Scarlets contracts". BBC Sport. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Wales U18 name team for series finale - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  13. ^ "France U20 32-10 Wales U20". BBC Sport. 3 February 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  14. ^ Orders, Mark (8 January 2023). "Gatland finds Wales has serious young talent and a fearsome machine on return". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Hawkins left out of Wales World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Lake captains new-look Wales as Roberts makes debut". BBC Sport. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.