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Cardiff and Vale University Health Board<\/p>\nCardiff and Vale University Health Board<\/p>\n
Jamie Roberts is currently training to become a qualified doctor<\/p>\n
Jamie Roberts is no stranger to an adrenaline-filled work environment after a glittering rugby career in which he racked up 94 caps for Wales .<\/p>\n
But the towering former centre is now six months into a very different journey – navigating the “enjoyable chaos” of the NHS as he works towards becoming a fully qualified doctor.<\/p>\n
The 39-year-old admits it has been a “steep learning curve” as he swaps out the set pieces for the stethoscope in his new role at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
But he insists it is a “privilege” to be making a difference on the ward, becoming the latest Welsh rugby icon to pursue a medical career once their playing days come to an end.<\/p>\n
The rugby legend is a well-known figure across Wales – but it is not lost on him that, in some ways, he is starting at the bottom of the ladder once again.<\/p>\n
“Therein lies the challenge, isn’t it?,” he says.<\/p>\n
“I always thoughts that I didn’t want rugby to define the second half of my life.<\/p>\n
“As much as my past life is going to play a part you still need to start as a junior and work your way up the ladder.”<\/p>\n
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Getty Images<\/p>\n
Roberts was a fixture of the Welsh rugby union team after making his international debut in 2008<\/p>\n
Roberts has worked in the geriatric ward and has now transitioned into a surgical rotation at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
He says his experiences so far have made him appreciate the scope of what he must learn to “reach those heights”.<\/p>\n
“I was in the theatre yesterday and just in awe of the surgeons operating here – the knowledge base and the work that it must have taken to get there.”<\/p>\n
Roberts describes the environment as “inspirational”, adding that it made him appreciate the “lifelong learning” that NHS staff will do.<\/p>\n
“Even in my first four months, I’ve had some crazy experiences that you never even think of having in your life.”<\/p>\n
Roberts’ commitment to become a doctor has been clear for some time.<\/p>\n
He graduated from Cardiff University’s school of medicine<\/a> 12 years ago and sat his final undergraduate exams in the same week he helped Wales win the Six Nations with a record 30-3 win<\/a> over England.<\/p>\n He is still “obsessed” with rugby and says he intends to continue his punditry and analysis work alongside his fledgling medical career.<\/p>\n “It’s not like I’ve chosen one or the other.<\/p>\n “During my playing career, I managed to do both and I’d hate to leave the game completely.”<\/p>\n The word “balance” is something that he says he talks about often.<\/p>\n “Life isn’t easy now, but I love it that way. When it’s challenging my comfort zone I’m learning every day.”<\/p>\n Roberts says it is not uncommon for him to be recognised by patients and he is more than happy to “chew the fat over days gone by”.<\/p>\n “I’m going to cross paths with people who have probably watched me play and want to have a chat.<\/p>\n “As long as it doesn’t impact my work, that’s fine, it’s been great.”<\/p>\n Roberts sees it as a “healthy conversation” which can only benefit his patients, and as a result, he is “embracing it”.<\/p>\n The former British and Irish Lions says he is still “obsessed” with rugby despite retiring from the game<\/p>\n Roberts is one of several Welsh rugby players to shift into a medical career even before their playing days are over.<\/p>\n But he admits it is “becoming even harder” to balance the two because of the demands of the modern game.<\/p>\n “It was always very, very challenging,” he said.<\/p>\n “But to try and achieve in both is getting harder and harder by the year because of what you need to give the game.”<\/p>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3e8fa4d0-dce8-11f0-afe3-9729680155d8.jpg.webp.webp\")
Getty Images<\/p>\n