Roberts officially graduated in 2017, but returned this year to celebrate in personBen Phillips

Jamie Roberts, ex-Wales international and current Dragons player in the Rugby Union, earlier today (17/09) attended a graduation ceremony at Senate House in Cambridge. He also enjoyed a celebratory lunch with his family at Queens’ College, where he previously studied a Master of Philosophy in medical science on a two-year, part-time basis between 2015 and 2017.

Prior to his studies in the city, Roberts boasted an illustrious career in professional rugby. After making his debut for the Welsh national team back in a 2008 Six Nations win against Scotland, he went on to rack up a total of 94 caps for his country over a nine-year period.

During his time with the side, Roberts notably won Grand Slams in 2012 and 2013 respectively, as Wales retained the Six Nations Championship for the first time since 1979 under the management of Warren Gatland. He proved to be one of Gatland’s most trusted players, notching up a remarkable 45 consecutive Six Nations appearances between 2009 and 2017, predominantly occupying the inside centre position.

He additionally earned three caps for the British & Irish Lions over the course of two stints, appearing in both the 2009 tour to South Africa and the tour to Australia four years later. Despite South Africa’s 2-1 Test series win over the Lions, Roberts was named ‘Player of the Series’, after forming an effective midfield partnership with Irish star Brian O’Driscoll during his two-game involvement.

Roberts enrolled at the University of Cambridge following the 2015 Rugby World Cup, beginning a Master of Philosophy in medical science at Queens’ College. During his first term, he admitted that “as much as learning French, playing rugby and cafe cruising in Paris was enjoyable, I have not been progressing academically, which has been weighing on my mind.” He added: “So getting back into that here is a dream.”


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Briefly swapping red for light blue, Roberts also took part in the 2015 Varsity Match at Twickenham, where Cambridge lost 12-6 to Oxford and sealed the latter’s sixth Varsity win in a row. Unfortunately, Roberts was forced off at half-time due to suffering a leg injury, but his appearance marked the first British & Irish Lion to play in the Varsity match since 1983.

After graduating in 2017 and becoming a qualified doctor, Roberts has more recently been volunteering for the NHS in Cardiff to assist with their efforts in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking last year about his role, he explained that “the people working in the NHS are doing an unbelievable job, the work ethic is a sight to behold.”

Roberts returned to Cambridge today to celebrate his academic success in accordance with the University’s string of in-person, socially-distanced, graduation ceremonies that have been taking place over the past few months.

Varsity congratulates Jamie on his academic achievement and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavours.