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Roberts' Centre Switch
By Paul
August 20 2008
With Wales struggling for depth at full back, it would seem odd that Jamie Roberts look set to continue where he ended the tour to South Africa, at inside centre. In June it was almost as if Roberts move was a reflex one, in order to bulk up the Welsh midfield, but now it could signal a more long-term switch for the Cardiff Blues player.

Without Lee Byrne Wales looked short of answers at 15, there was real naivety in first Roberts and then Morgan Stoddart's defensive game. At 17 stone and 6 foot 3' Roberts proved to be a good short-term response to Wales's midfield frailties after the first test. But a permanent move into the centre sends out a confused message.

Part of this you suspect is down to Roberts inability thus far to displace the influential Ben Blair at the Arms Park, the other reason being more Warren Gatland's concerns over being able to compensate for when Gavin Henson's physicality is absent.

There is nothing to suggest that Roberts may still act as full back cover for Wales, after all utility is always a more than useful attribute, but the difference between the positions is vast, so far Roberts has only had to move between wing and full back, which are not quite as different.

Roberts may have had a poor first start in that position at test level, but moving him to a vastly different position for his bread and butter rugby at regional level may rob Wales of a full back option that offers something a little different.

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Roberts' Centre Switch
Posted by: Bred in Heaven (IP Logged)
Date: 20/08/2008 09:52

Roberts' Centre Switch

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