Rugby Legend Jamie Roberts Begins New Chapter as Junior Doctor in the NHS

After a decorated international rugby career, former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts is officially beginning his medical career—twelve years after graduating from Cardiff University’s medical school.

At 38, Roberts has traded stadiums for hospital wards, embarking on a two-year foundation programme in south Wales to become a junior doctor in the NHS.

Known for his powerful runs and sharp game sense on the field, Roberts also holds a deep passion for medicine. “I loved rugby, but I’ve always been a problem solver. Medicine just ticked so many boxes for me,” he told BBC News.

His journey through medical school was far from typical. Balancing elite sport and academic demands, Roberts completed his degree over seven years while playing for Wales, the Lions, and Cardiff Blues. He famously sat his final exams during the same week Wales triumphed over England 30-3 to win the 2013 Six Nations Championship.

Following graduation, Roberts focused on rugby, playing for clubs including Racing Metro, Harlequins, Bath, Waratahs, and Dragons. Alongside, he pursued further studies at Loughborough and Cambridge universities, earning postgraduate degrees.

He retired from professional rugby in 2022 and passed a “return to medicine” exam in November 2023, qualifying to restart his clinical training.

Roberts hinted at a future in sports medicine or orthopaedics, fields shaped by his own experiences with injuries—including joint surgeries and a fractured skull.

He now joins a legacy of Welsh rugby stars-turned-doctors, like JPR Williams and Hallam Amos. And while the NHS presents a different kind of challenge, Roberts is enthusiastic: “It rewards you in many ways. I’m ready for it.”

As for being recognised by patients? He welcomes it. “Rugby is a great way to connect with people in Wales. I’m excited for that too.”