Bradley Roberts: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

| amatyears2 = 2017–2021

| amatteam2 = [[Rainey Old Boys R.F.C.|Rainey Old Boys]]

| years1 = 2020–2022

| apps1 = 18

| points1 = 15

| years2 = 2022–

| clubs2 = [[Dragons (rugby union)|Dragons]]

| apps2 = 27

| points2 = 25

| ru_clubupdate = 12:03, 6 February 2024 (UTC)

| repyears1 = 2021–

| repcaps1 = 5

| reppoints1 =5

| ru_ntupdate = 18 March 2023

'''Bradley Roberts''' is a [[rugby union]] player who plays as a [[Hooker (rugby union)|hooker]] for [[United Rugby Championship]] side [[Dragons RFC]]. He was called up to play international rugby for [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] in 2021.

Roberts was born in Durban, South Africa where he attended Durban Preparatory High School and then [[Michaelhouse]].<ref name=introducing>{{cite web|url=https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2021/01/introducing-brad-roberts/ |title=Introducing Brad Roberts |work=Ulster Rugby|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref> After school, having failedtoget an academy or development contract with a South African provincial team, he moved to [[Colwyn Bay]], north Wales, and joined [[RGC 1404]] in mid-season. He returned to South Africa in the summer, where he trained and played with the [[Sharks (rugby union)|Sharks]] at under-19 level. When no contract was offered, he began studying at [[Stellenbosch University]] in [[Cape Town]].<ref name=fromdurban>Alastair Telfer, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61234823 "Bradley Roberts: From Durban to Wales via the All Ireland League"], BBC Sport, 29 April 2022</ref>

In 2017 he was invited to join [[Rainey Old Boys R.F.C.|Rainey Old Boys]] in [[Magherafelt]], [[County Londonderry]], after their director of rugby, Brian Smyth, received a highlights video from a South African contact.<ref name=fromdurban />He helped the team get promoted to division 2A of the [[All-Ireland League (rugby union)|All Ireland League]] in 2018-19. His impressive club performances led to his call up to the Ulster squad as injury cover at hooker. He was named in the side for Round of the [[2020–21 Pro14]] against [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ulsterrugby.com/preview/ulster-team-named-for-trip-to-edinburgh-2/#report | title=Ulster team named for trip to Edinburgh | work=Ulster Rugby | date=29 November 2020| access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref> He made his Ulster debut in this match, coming on as a replacement. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55121568|title=Edinburgh 14-43 Ulster: Eighth win takes Irish province top of Conference A|work=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2020|access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref> He was selected for his second appearance against [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] on the 27th December 2020. He came on in the 68th minute for [[John Andrew (rugby union)|John Andrew]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55452744|title=Ulster battle past Connacht in bruising inter-provincial derby|work=BBC Sport|date=27 December 2020|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref> He signed a one-year professional contract in April 2021.<ref>[https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/04/16/ulster-announce-contracts-for-izuchukwu-and-roberts/ "Ulster Announce Contracts For Izuchukwu And Roberts"], Irish Rugby, 16 April 2021</ref>

Roberts was called up to play for [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] in the [[2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2021 Autumn internationals]], having qualified through his paternal grandmother, who was from [[Llandysul]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wales call up uncapped Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts to autumn squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59095678 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2021 |accessdate=29 October 2021 }}</ref> To remain available to play for Wales, he left Ulster and joined Welsh side [[Dragons RFC]] on a long-term contract at the end of the 2021-22 season.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60126426 "Bradley Roberts: Wales hooker to join Dragons from Ulster at end of season"], BBC Sport, 25 January 2022</ref>

== International tries ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="

|-

! Try !! Opponent !! Location !! Venue !! Tests !! Date !! Result

|-

| 1 || {{ru|FRA}} || [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], France || [[Stade de France]] || [[2023 Six Nations Championship|2023 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|March|18}} || Loss

|-

|}

*{{Sport links}}

{{Dragons squad}}

[[Category:RGC 1404 players]]

[[Category:Dragons RFC players]]

[[Category:Alumni of Michaelhouse]]