Wed 28 Jan 2015 | 06:27
Jamie Roberts excellent pick up off his toes in top Racing Metro performance

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Jamie Roberts was named Man of the Match in Racing Metro's 32-8 victory over Northampton Saints at the weekend. Roberts carried well and showed superb handling skills, particularly on this occasion when he got down low to pick up a low pass.

Racing Metro's deep pockets have meant that they can call on players of the calibre of Roberts to play their part in Europe, as they strive to challenge the likes of Toulon at the top.

"We have a big squad with a lot of depth and we want to make an impact in the league and in Europe. We have a home draw and no one will be looking forward to coming to Paris," said Roberts.

He hasn't had a whole lot of game time but certainly took his chance on this occasion.

"It was only the third game I have played since the November internationals. The squad is so big that you sometimes find you do not play for a couple of weeks. It is frustrating but when you have the opportunity in a big match you have to deliver and I am glad I did."

Wales fans will be pleased to see the form he's in, just ahead of their crunch Six Nations opener with England. Roberts was up against Luther Burrell, who he might see next in England colours.

"Luther plays in a similar mould to me. He is very physical and very direct and he is a dangerous player. England have an embarrassment of riches in the midfield with Luther, Brad Barritt, Billy Twelvetrees, Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph. It will be a huge match-up whoever they pick.

"The game against England promises to be an epic battle: it is World Cup year and they are in our pool. It was a special day when we played them two years ago and the ingredients are there next month to better that. It is a game that as a player you want to be part of and it will be good to go into camp on Monday."

Below is a look at his outstanding pick up, and on page two you can view a quick highlights reel featuring all his best moments from the match.

Jamie Roberts highlights from his great performance against Saints

video credit: gorpitsen junior

5 Comments

  • marty
    12:31 PM 29/01/2015

    Slow start for him at Racing last season (loads and loads of unforced knock ons, among other things) but things are starting to click, not just for him but the whole team. The strategies of les deux Laurent seems to begin to payoff. Only team unbeaten in the erc this year...

  • drg
    11:01 AM 29/01/2015

    I'm sure there is something to be said about a players visible attributes which sometimes come before a players abilities...

    For instance Jamie Roberts is 6'4" and weighs the same as a small elephant and he is quick, so naturally you'd say "stick him in the 12/13 shirt and have him smash it up the middle" which is perhaps what he often gets selected for with Gatlandball... the moment he tries to do something a tad more interesting people question it and say "why didn't he just smash it up the middle????"....

    You see it on a different scale in club rugby, especially as juniors "no forward should ever kick the ball!"...granted it's normally a good thing - I don't have a great power gauge when it comes to kicking... sometimes I think I'm going to hoof it and it goes a quarter of the distance I get when I'm 'gently nudging it on'... but there are plenty of forwards who have a pretty good boot on them (by amateur standards) and they can find space with the boot whilst all the backs go charging forward... But that blanket 'golden rule' (amongst others) can cause problems in hindering players abilities...

    Wouldn't you like to have 3 or 4 players on a team that COULD take a goal kick if necessary? So what if one is a forward??

  • stroudos
    8:15 PM 28/01/2015

    Average.

    When I play flyhalf, the centres do this sort of thing about 10 times in a single match...

  • 12:24 PM 28/01/2015

    I'm starting to rethink duel contracts if Jamie is developing like that at Racing. What an exciting prospect for the 6 Nations if he's running through a team of Saints' quality like that. North is looking sharper than he before the move too. I hate to say it but it seems to have done them good.

  • welshosprey
    9:36 AM 28/01/2015

    I have literally never seen him step or offload like that for wales. Please bring it to the six nations, jamie.