'Bloody touch judge'

REACTION: Decorated veteran Jamie Roberts is both big enough and secure enough in his abilities to be able to take a pop at his himself.

The Bath centre did exactly that on Twitter following his side’s tight victory over Sale Sharks at The Rec at the weekend, when one pass, in particular, didn’t reach it’s intended target – or rather, its intended target was not who Roberts’ thought it was.

The 33-year-old played a big part in what was a much-needed win for Bath, but as one attempted pass to his teammate showed, he didn’t have it all his own way.

“That awkward moment when you think you’ve put your teammate away then realize it’s the bloody touch judge belting it down the wing,” tweeted Roberts.

“Atmosphere was immense at the Rec. Thanks to all the Bath Rugby supporters. Gritty result versus Sale for us to finish 2019 with a W.”

It’s clear that Roberts, capped 94 times by Wales, is enjoying the Autumn of his professional career.

The hulking 111kg back arrived in the West Country following three years with Harlequins.

After taking the first two months of the season out to concentrate on media work at the Rugby World Cup, he’s now returned to help push Stuart Hooper’s side towards the summit of the Gallagher Premiership.

Bath currently sit in 5th position on the table. With the European competition effectively beyond them, they are now free to focus fully on domestic competition.

The game against Sale saw the return of Roberts Welsh teammate Taulupe Faletau. The No.8 made it through a full 80-minutes in what was his first start in nearly a year.

“He is pleased he has got through it,” Bath Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper said. “Credit to him for the work he has put in and to our medical team.

“I was watching him closely and thinking, ‘When do we bring him off?’ But he was going really well and had some big moments at the end of the game which you would expect from a player of his quality.”

Source: RugbyPass