Bradley Roberts

{{short description|Wales international rugby union player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Bradley Roberts

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1996|1|4}}

| birth_place = Durban, South Africa

| height = 1.75 m

| weight = 108 kg

| ru_position = Hooker

| amatyears1 = 2015

| amatteam1 = RGC 1404

| amatapps1 =

| amatpoints1 =

| amatyears2 = 2017–2021

| amatteam2 = Rainey Old Boys

| amatapps2 =

| amatpoints2 =

| ru_amateurupdate =

| years1 = 2020–2022

| clubs1 = Ulster

| apps1 = 18

| points1 = 15

| years2 = 2022–

| clubs2 = Dragons

| apps2 = 27

| points2 = 25

| ru_clubupdate = 12:03, 6 February 2024 (UTC)

| repyears1 = 2021–

| repteam1 = Wales

| repcaps1 = 5

| reppoints1 = 5

| ru_ntupdate = 18 March 2023

| spouse =

| children =

| relatives =

| school =

| university =

}}

Bradley Roberts is a former rugby union player who played as a hooker for United Rugby Championship side Dragons RFC. He was called up to play international rugby for Wales in 2021.

Roberts was born in Durban, South Africa where he attended Durban Preparatory High School and then Michaelhouse.{{cite web|url=https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2021/01/introducing-brad-roberts/ |title=Introducing Brad Roberts |work=Ulster Rugby|access-date=4 January 2020}} After school, having failed to get an academy or development contract with a South African provincial team, he moved to Colwyn Bay, north Wales, and joined RGC 1404 in mid-season. He returned to South Africa in the summer, where he trained and played with the Sharks at under-19 level. When no contract was offered, he began studying at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town.Alastair Telfer, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61234823 "Bradley Roberts: From Durban to Wales via the All Ireland League"], BBC Sport, 29 April 2022

In 2017 he was invited to join Rainey Old Boys in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, after their director of rugby, Brian Smyth, received a highlights video from a South African contact. He helped the team get promoted to division 2A of the All Ireland League in 2018-19. His impressive club performances led to his call up to the Ulster squad as injury cover at hooker. He was named in the side for Round of the 2020–21 Pro14 against Edinburgh.{{cite news | url=https://www.ulsterrugby.com/preview/ulster-team-named-for-trip-to-edinburgh-2/#report | title=Ulster team named for trip to Edinburgh | work=Ulster Rugby | date=29 November 2020| access-date=1 December 2020}} He made his Ulster debut in this match, coming on as a replacement.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55121568|title=Edinburgh 14-43 Ulster: Eighth win takes Irish province top of Conference A|work=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2020|access-date=1 December 2020}} He was selected for his second appearance against Connacht on the 27th December 2020. He came on in the 68th minute for John Andrew.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55452744|title=Ulster battle past Connacht in bruising inter-provincial derby|work=BBC Sport|date=27 December 2020|access-date=4 January 2020}} He signed a one-year professional contract in April 2021.[https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/04/16/ulster-announce-contracts-for-izuchukwu-and-roberts/ "Ulster Announce Contracts For Izuchukwu And Roberts"], Irish Rugby, 16 April 2021

Roberts was called up to play for Wales in the 2021 Autumn internationals, having qualified through his paternal grandmother, who was from Llandysul.{{cite news |title=Wales call up uncapped Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts to autumn squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59095678 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2021 |accessdate=29 October 2021 }} To remain available to play for Wales, he left Ulster and joined Welsh side Dragons RFC on a long-term contract at the end of the 2021-22 season.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60126426 "Bradley Roberts: Wales hooker to join Dragons from Ulster at end of season"], BBC Sport, 25 January 2022

Roberts went on to win five caps for Wales before announcing his retirement from rugby in August 2024 due to a back injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0l8wdw457yo|title=Injury prompts Wales and Dragons' Roberts to quit|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=8 August 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-rugby-international-retires-immediate-29701538|title=Wales rugby international retires with immediate effect aged 28|publisher=Wales Online|accessdate=8 August 2024}}