Wales hooker Bradley Roberts signs for Dragons
DUBLIN, IRELAND: October 23: Bradley Roberts #16 of Ulster during the Connacht V Ulster, United Rugby Championship match at Aviva Stadium on October 23rd, 2021 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Wales hooker Bradley Roberts has signed for the Dragons.
Currently part of Wales’ Six Nations squad, the 26-year-old has signed a long-term contract and will move in the summer.
Roberts made his international debut for Wales against his home country South Africa in the 2021 Autumn Nations Series.
On signing for Dragons, Roberts told the club website: “I’m really excited by the challenge ahead of me. It’s a new opportunity and, after only a few seasons at this level, I’m determined to keep moving forward.
“I spoke to Dean about the Dragons and it’s a young group that are building for the future. I’m eager to add to that and be a part of that journey.
“The move to Dragons means I can also keep pushing to be part of the Wales set-up. I’ve only just started with that, and I want to add to those experiences.
“I’m looking forward to linking up with the Dragons, but for now my focus remains on Ulster, the next few months with Wales and a strong end to this season.”
Dragons Director of Rugby Dean Ryan told the Dragons website: ““We’re really pleased that Bradley will join us and that he sees Dragons as the right environment for him to keep improving.
“Bradley obviously has international aspirations, as he makes the return to Wales, and we look forward to him competing for selection from next season.”
Roberts is eligible to play for Wales through his paternal grandmother, who hailed from Llandysul in Ceredigion.
South African born finished school without an Academy or a club, so Roberts joined Colwyn Bay’s RGC in the Welsh Premiership on a short-term visa.
He moved to Irish league side Rainey’s Old Boys in 2017, before stepping up to Ulster as injury cover in 2020. Since then, he has not looked back.
The 25-year-old’s call-up to the Wales squad this autumn came as a bolt out of the blue with the South African-born hooker having made only ten appearances for Ulster at the time.
Roberts, who qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, made his Test debut as a replacement against the country of his birth and is keen to win more caps.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s 60 cap selection policy meant he needed to join a Welsh side if he was to continue his international career.
