Inside Jamie Roberts' life outside of rugby as pundit qualifies for amazing new job

Jamie Roberts, a legend of the British and Irish Lions, has transitioned from the rugby pitch to the hospital, now dedicating his life to saving others. The Welsh rugby icon will be gracing our television screens throughout November, providing his expert analysis for TNT Sports during their coverage of the autumn internationals.

In addition to his rugby prowess, Roberts is also a trained medical professional. The former Harlequins centre juggled his studies with his international rugby commitments in his early to mid-20s, often arriving at training early to squeeze in crucial revision before important exams - even during Test week.

Incredibly, he managed to pass his exams and qualify as a doctor while earning 94 caps for Wales, securing three Six Nations titles and embarking on two consecutive tours with the Lions. Roberts hung up his boots in 2022 and over the past three years has dipped his toes into punditry and taken up a position as a non-executive director on the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.

However, this summer saw Roberts begin his new career as a resident doctor. After years of playing club and international rugby, he's finally been able to put his medical training to use.

In an exclusive chat with WalesOnline, Roberts expressed his excitement about diving headfirst into the world of medicine.

"I crave pressure, responsibility and accountability," Roberts declared. "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. 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. 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."

The former Cardiff Rugby back started working towards this ambition last November, when he sat another round of examinations to qualify. Naturally, he passed with flying colours and commenced his role as a junior doctor at Llandough Hospital in Cardiff.

"There's an exam once a year - once every November - if you want to get back into clinical medicine the following August, because the intake runs in the academic year," said Roberts in the summer.

"I sat an exam in Manchester in November. I gave myself three or four weeks' prep and I was in the library in the Heath spending many long evenings. They can examine you on anything, so you have to revise everything. That was challenging, having been out of it for over 12 years.

"So if you've graduated and you've not started that foundation year within two years, you have to resit this exam. It's a clinical exam - 12 stations with actors and they can ask you anything. I have young children, so you can apply for something called pre-allocation, which allows you to work in your local health board.

"I'm starting at Llandough, which is my first rotation on geriatrics and then I've got my other five rotations at the Heath for the next couple of years. I think I've got AandE, emergency medicine, trauma orthopedics, cardiovascular medicine, respiratory medicine and colorectal surgery.

"So you can pro rata your time commitment and salary I guess for 50% all the way to 100%. So I've applied for 70%-80%, which gives me that day off in the week to allow me to stay involved in the game. It was an amazing feeling, passing that exam, because you are on your path then. The NHS is probably more flexible now than it has been previously. I get pre-allocated to Cardiff and Vale health board."

Roberts will embark on two foundation years, during which time he must determine which medical specialism to pursue for his career. He also recently served on the 12-member WRU board which unanimously approved proposals to cut the number of Welsh regions to three by 2028. Between broadcasting work, medical training and WRU duties, Roberts has remained remarkably active following his retirement from playing.