News

Gatland urged to look at prop Roberts

September 22 2008

Sale coach Kingsley Jones has urged Warren Gatland to take a closer look at Eifion Roberts before naming his squad for the November internationals.

Wales face a tough month in November, when they take on South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. And Jones believes Roberts has the ability to make Gatland's squad.

Having signed for Sale, from the Scarlets, as a 147kg loosehead he has trimmed down and converted to tighthead. Not only that but he is making a big impression as Sale have won their opening three Guinness Premiership games.

Ruthin-born Roberts, a farmer before he signed a professional contract, is good enough to be in the Welsh squad come Novemeber, according to Jones.

"We are really excited about Eifion," Jones told The Western Mail.

"He has trimmed down considerably as he has knuckled down to the demands of professional sport.

"Eifion can do a great job on the loosehead and, although he is still mastering the tighthead side of the scrum, he is already a success.

"He has the potential to be a fantastic rugby player. He has first-class understanding of the game and is also an excellent lifter at the line-out."

Roberts had originally been on trial with the Scarlets, but eventually they overlooked the then mammoth prop and Sale snapped him up having noticed his scrummaging potential.

Gatland has been searching for extra depth at tighthead with Adam Jones first-choice and Rhys Thomas as back-up.

Worcester prop Chris Horsman has played himself back into contention, with Roberts rapidly emerging as a Test quality prop too.

Jones believes the emergence of Roberts is a testament to the talent emerging from North Wales, going on to back the plans to develop a fifth region.

"It is fantastic news," he added.

"It's a great project because there is plenty of talent in North Wales.

"Back it up with four or five £100,000 a year players and it wouldn't take long for North Wales to be competitive."