Jamie Roberts claims being Wales based is not crucial issue

Racing Metro centre Jamie Roberts says Wales does not need to have its international players based at home.

Welsh rugby has been hit by an exodus of players leaving for clubs in France and England in recent years.

Paris-based Roberts claims if players have clauses in their contracts to allow them to train and play for Wales, it does not matter where they play.

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“Ultimately, its up to each and every individual player to do what they see is best for their career, and what they want to do”

Jamie Roberts
Wales and Racing Metro 92

“It doesn’t make any difference whatsoever,” said 27-year-old Wales international Roberts.

British and Irish Lions centre Roberts, who is expected to

return to action

for Racing in the Heineken Cup clash with Harlequins on Sunday after an ankle ligament injury, is one of Wales’ exiles.

Roberts, a summer signing from Cardiff Blues, negotiated a clause in his contract with Racing to allow him to be released for Wales squad training and internationals.

He says more Welsh players are doing the same to guarantee that they are available to train and play for their country.

“As any Welsh player playing in Wales, the participation agreement allows players that full two weeks release prior to the Six Nations and the autumn,” said Roberts.

“Players playing in France… we arrive at training on that same Monday as the Welsh [based] players.”

Lions captain

Sam Warburton is the latest Welsh player being lined with a move away from Wales

at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

Wing

George North joined Northampton

before the start of this season, while Lions lock Ian Evans has signed for French club Toulon.

Clermont Auvergne have recruited Scarlets, Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies from 2014-15.

Wales players in ‘exile’

Lee Byrne – Clermont Auvergne

Luke Charteris – Perpignan

James Hook – Perpignan

Dan Lydiate – Racing Metro

Jamie Roberts – Racing Metro

Mike Phillips – Racing Metro

George North – Northampton

Paul James – Bath

Craig Mitchell – Exeter

Jon Davies – Clermont (from 2014)

Ian Evans – Toulon (from 2014)

Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Mike Phillips and James Hook play for clubs in France while Paul James and Craig Mitchell are in England.

Roberts admits more Welsh players will be attracted by the chance to play rugby in France.

“Inevitable is not the right word, but there is a possibility of it,” said Roberts.

“Ultimately, it’s up to each and every individual player to do what they see is best for their career, and what they want to do.

“A lot come over here [France] to come and play, to play in a fantastic league, to play a great quality of rugby in France.

“They have made themselves fully available for international selection and, from my perspective, I am very happy I made the move,

“I am sure there will be a lot of other players seriously contemplating it.

“C’est la vie, it’s the way professional sport is and the way professional sport always has been.”

Jamie Roberts claims being Wales based is not crucial issue