Roberts eyes Montgomery battle

Testing times: Roberts will combine rugby with his studying on tour

Wales newcomer Jamie Roberts has revealed he would relish the chance to play against his childhood hero Percy Montgomery on Wales' tour to South Africa.

Having made his debut for Wales in the Six Nations, on the wing, Roberts is being tipped to start the first Test against South Africa at full-back.

Roberts, with one cap to his name, would more than likely line-up against Montgomery, who has 94 caps, as Wales look to win their maiden Test on South African soil.

"Percy is one of my personal idols," Roberts told The Western Mail.

"The guy has been there and done it. He's done it all in rugby really. He's got the full all-round game.

"He can kick, he can run, he can pass to the highest of standards and if you can do that as an international full-back you are halfway there. He's a great goal-kicker as well. He's just got everything.

"It would be a hell of an opportunity to play against a guy like him.

"You've just got to relish and appreciate it when it comes around and really give it your all for that eighty minutes.:

However with fellow full-back Morgan Stoddart, also with one cap to his name, pressing for a place Roberts knows it will be a tight call as to who starts the first Test.

"It would be huge to get the nod at fifteen," said the versatile Roberts, whose one cap to date has come on the wing.

"I consider myself a full-back and I've just got to train really hard and push forward my case to start there.

"Morgan is a great player, with great attacking flair, and I'm really going to have my work cut out to start ahead of him.

"But, whoever's selected, hopefully we'll do what's needed for the team and impress in Lee Byrne's absence."

Roberts is set to have a busy tour both on and off the field, as he will be looking to fit in a fair chunk of studying for his impending third-year medical exams.

He was originally due to sit them in April, but bosses at the University of Wales allowed him to defer until July in order to concentrate on his rugby during the Six Nations period.

"I've got nine exams in a week, so it's really intense," he said.

"I'm just going to have to blitz it and really dig in for the next month.

"I've been working hard in the last couple of weeks and I'm going to have to take some work out to South Africa.

"When there are free afternoons, I've just got to be strict on myself and really focus on the work.

"It would be easy to take a trip up Table Mountain or have a coffee out somewhere, but I've just got to lock myself away.

"The pressure of time is better than anything when it comes to work. It does wonders.

"I think it helps me to have something outside of rugby. It does keep the mind ticking over and it's hugely beneficial."

This will be a fourth visit to South Africa for Roberts, following on from trips with his school, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Wales Sevens and Wales U19.

"It's a hell of a country," he said.

"They have got huge traditions out there and the natural beauty is outstanding.

"It was a brilliant experience, a great country to go and I can't wait to go back out there. I'm really looking forward to it."

Lining up at full-back against the Springboks would be the perfect end to a remarkable first season in senior rugby for Roberts.

"I don't think I'll appreciate it until I get back from South Africa and just sit down and go through it game by game and take it all in," he said.

"It just seems like yesterday I was running out against Ospreys in the first game of the season.

"It's all flown by. Hopefully I can round off a good season by getting a chance to wear the red jersey on tour."