O’Shea thrilled as Roberts joins Harlequins
Director of rugby Conor O’Shea says he is “ecstatic” to have brought Wales centre Jamie Roberts to Harlequins.
After weeks of speculation, Quins confirmed on Monday that the British and Irish Lions back and two-time Six Nations Grand Slam winner would join the club for next season.
Roberts, 28, will arrive from French club Racing Metro, having previously spent six years with Cardiff Blues.
O’Shea said: “The whole club is ecstatic to have signed a player of Jamie’s quality.
“As a role model to all of our players, he will be someone we can all learn from.
“We know we won’t see Jamie in the Harlequins jersey for a while yet, but when we do I know he will be a massive contributor to the history of this club, the development of our team and the development of young players like Joe Marchant and Harry Sloan.”
Roberts, who will also study for a Masters degree at Cambridge University, said he was looking forward to the prospect of playing in the Premiership.
He added: “You look at the calibre of the Harlequins squad and the coaching set up, they are a team that are going to be competing at the top level year, in year out and that was a huge factor in my decision to sign.”
During his time with Cardiff Blues, Roberts won the Anglo-Welsh and European Challenge Cups in 2009 and 2010 respectively before graduating as a Doctor in 2013 following his studies at Cardiff University.
He has made 69 appearances for Wales, helping them to fourth at the 2011 World Cup and to Grand Slam titles in 2008 and 2012.
Roberts was also man of the series in the Lions’ tour of South Africa in 2009 and scored in the third Test against Australia in 2013 to seal victory in that series.
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
