Joe Roberts (rugby union)

Joe Roberts (born 10 May 2000) is a Welsh rugby union player, currently playing for United Rugby Championship side Scarlets as a centre.[1] He has represented Wales, making his debut on 12 August 2023 against England.

Joe Roberts
Date of birth (2000-05-10) 10 May 2000
Place of birthSwansea, Wales
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb; 216 lb)
SchoolColeg Sir Gâr
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Scarlets
Youth career
Bynea RFC, Burry Port RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Scarlets 21 (10)
2021 → Ampthill (loan) 6 (5)
Correct as of 27 April 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 Wales U18
2019 Wales U20 2 (5)
2023– Wales 1
Correct as of 12 August 2023

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]

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. "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.
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