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Former Wales rugby global Jamie Roberts says he’s “ready” and “excited” to turn into a junior physician and entire his clinical coaching within the NHS.
Twelve years after graduating from Cardiff University’s college of drugs, the previous British and Irish Lion will start two years of basis coaching in hospitals in south Wales.
Roberts received 94 caps for Wales and used to be the British and Irish Lions’ Player of the Series following their excursion of South Africa in 2009, earlier than being decided on once more for the Australia excursion in 2013.
The 38-year-old stated rugby had given him “some of the best experiences” of his lifestyles and he used to be “looking forward to the same in a medical career”.
Roberts made his debut for Wales in opposition to Scotland in 2008, whilst he used to be a clinical pupil.
“I always wanted to play rugby. It was a passion of mine,” Roberts advised BBC News.
“I loved the sport, I still do and it will stay with me forever. But I was a problem-solver at school.
“I really like maths and I really like science and I really like other people, I assume. And medication used to be the very best are compatible and ticked numerous bins for me.”
In the UK, medical training involves an undergraduate degree which usually takes five years to complete, followed by a two-year foundation programme when trainees become junior doctors and are paid a salary.
Getty ImagesIt took Roberts seven years to complete his undergraduate degree because of his commitments with Wales, the Lions and Cardiff Blues.
“I replicate on it now and I ponder how the heck I did that. You know, the keenness of teen is helping. I used to be very busy. I used to be very pushed,” he said.
He sat his final undergraduate exams in 2013 – the same week that he was part of a Wales side which won the Six Nations after defeating England by 30-3 – and graduated a few months later.
“You know, we received the match right here [in Cardiff], after which a month or two later – having sat my clinical finals in that Wales v England week – I were given my examination effects,” he recalled.
“I assume it used to be the end result of numerous exhausting paintings over each disciplines.”
Cardiff UniversityAfter graduating, Roberts spent the next decade focused on his rugby career, playing at centre for several clubs including Racing Metro, Harlequins, Bath, Dragons and Waratahs.
But academia continued to give the aspiring doctor the escape from rugby he said he “craved”, and he completed postgraduate degrees at both Loughborough University and Cambridge University.
Jamie RobertsHe became a father in 2021, before retiring from rugby the following year.
“When you end taking part in rugby, you understand, when other people ask you what you are doing it is infrequently difficult when you’ll’t actually solution that query and you are doing random ins and outs,” he said.
In November 2023, Roberts passed a “go back to medication” exam which allowed him to resume his medical training.
So, in which field does he hope to specialise?
“I used to be clearly very concerned with my very own accidents. I had rather a couple of large ones,” he stated.
“Reconstructive surgical procedure to rather a couple of of my joints, a fractured cranium as smartly.
“Whether I can foresee a future in sports medicine, or orthopaedics, that’s what I’m naturally leaning towards.”
Stu Forster/Getty ImagesRoberts follows within the footsteps of a number of different Wales internationals who became their arms to medication, together with Dr Jack Matthews, orthopaedic surgeon JPR Williams, former captain Dr Gwyn Jones and, extra just lately, Hallam Amos.
“I’ve a massive amount of respect for everyone who works for the NHS,” stated Roberts.
“I’ve no doubt it’s challenging at times and I’ve no doubt I’m going to feel that, but again that’s the challenge isn’t it. It rewards you in many different ways, so I’m looking forward to it.”
John Downing/Getty ImagesAs some of the acquainted faces in Welsh game, Roberts stated being recognised via sufferers used to be “always great.”
“People love rugby in Wales. As a student that had its rewards for me – it’s a great way of connecting with people and again, I’m excited by that.”
Reflecting on his carrying occupation, Roberts added: “I gave the game everything I had and it roared at me in such amazing ways.
“It’s given me one of the crucial easiest stories of my lifestyles and I’m having a look ahead to the similar in a clinical occupation.”
