Rugby legend starts new life as a doctor days after returning from Lions duty
The three-time Six Nations champion has had his first day on the job
Welsh rugby legend Jamie Roberts has embarked on his new career as a doctor today, just two days after returning from the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia.
The 94-cap international, who served as a pundit and a Lions ambassador in Australia this summer, is a qualified doctor having graduated from Cardiff University's school of medicine 12 years ago - mere weeks after he played on the 2013 tour of Australia. Now, he's beginning "a new chapter" working as a junior doctor at Llandough Hospital in the capital.
Roberts, affectionately known as 'Doc' throughout his playing career, performed at the pinnacle of the sport, securing three Six Nations titles with Wales and playing crucial roles on two Lions tours.
Despite keeping busy in retirement - accepting a role as an independent Non-Executive Director on the WRU Board - he confessed in a chat with WalesOnline earlier this year that he still "craves pressure, responsibility and accountability".
Now, following years of dedication, the former centre has commenced his new career, confirming his career announcement on social media on Tuesday.
"Tomorrow. A new chapter," he wrote. "Funny sometimes how life aligns. I graduated in medicine a few weeks after our victorious Lions tour Down Under in 2013. I now find myself beginning life as a doctor 12 years on and a few days after the 2025 corresponding tour.
"I never worked as a doctor as I fortunately enjoyed another nine years playing rugby across the world. Add in three kids in four years among other things and it's been a busy period post-retirement!".
"I'm excited by the new challenge and the pressure that accompanies such a position of responsibility and trust. Looking forward to meeting and working alongside some great people and great minds."
During a chat with Sky Sports, Roberts, who turned out for clubs including Cardiff, Racing 92, Harlequins and Bath throughout his playing days, revealed details of what turned out to be a hectic week, with his inaugural shift scheduled just days after returning from Australia.
"My first shift is next week," he said. "I sat an exam in November to come back in so I'm now close to starting my next life. I fly back from Australia on Sunday, land on Monday, and my first shift is Wednesday in hospital as a doctor.
"I'm a week away from the next career, which I'm going to do 80 per cent of the time. My two-year training programme will take me two years and five months, which still allows me to keep a hand in with rugby, broadcasting and my work on the WRU board, among raising three young kids. So it's all happening. Life is busy, but life is great."
The Welshman revealed his career switch earlier this year, speaking candidly to WalesOnline about what he yearned for from his playing days and why returning to medicine felt like the perfect decision for him at this stage.
"It has taken me a while to work out exactly what I miss from the game, and that's it. I miss the pressure and doing something that brings with it pressure and scrutiny," said Roberts.
"Of course I miss the lads, I miss the changing room and I miss the social side of rugby probably above all else.
"I love problem-solving, I love working with people and I guess when you go through that soul-searching when you retire, you try to narrow down what you really love and what you really want to go after.
"Medicine and being a doctor ticks a lot of boxes," he added. "It's problem-solving, it's in science, it's working with people, it brings significant pressure and responsibility. I can't wait to join another great team in the NHS."
