LONDON – Weeks of rumours and speculation finally end after the London-based Harlequins announce the signing of Welsh centre Jamie Roberts.
Roberts will leave French club Racing Metro for London after turning down an offer to go and play back at the Cardiff Blues with whom he spent six years with before moving to Paris.
In agreeing to a deal with Harlequins, Roberts effectively ends the worst kept secret in rugby after many social media posts emerged weeks ago of the star in contractual talks whilst in London.
In choosing the Harlequins for the 2015/2016 season, the 29 year old continues to flirt with the so-called “Gatland Rule” after Wales national Coach Warren Gatland said recently that he would favour locally-based players for national selection over overseas-based players.
So far, this “Gatland Rule” hasn’t been detrimental to the test veteran having played 69 caps for Wales including a prominent role in this year’s 6 Nations campaign.
However, with so much talk lately over overseas-based players and the ‘right’ they have of playing for their nation – especially in the case of the England team and players like Steffon Armitage – Roberts’ signing for the English club and his continued national selection will continue to fuel debate.