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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

New Wales player has Warren Gatland excited after training performances

When a rugby coach tells you that a player is a "bit different", you can be sure you're not being overwhelmed by high-end jargon.

It's a pairing of words that, ultimately, don't tell you all that much. Anyone, after all, can be a bit different.

Particularly in the words of Warren Gatland. Just a quick google search of the Wales coach and that particular phrase shows it's one that has been thrown out on a few occasions.

Gavin Henson, Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie are the first names that pop up after a cursory glance on the internet. All, in fairness, are a bit different.

Earlier this year, Gatland described uncapped centre Keiran Williams as a "bit different", comparing him to younger Scott Gibbs.

And now, it's another uncapped centre who has had the 'bit different' treatment, with Gatland saying the same of Scarlets centre Joe Roberts.

Speaking on the Scrum V podcast last week, Gatland didn't offer too much on the players he was excited about, but he gave a smidgen more enthusiasm on Roberts than any other centre.

When asked about how centre looks after Joe Hawkins' departure, Gatland said: "We've got some players there and there's competition between those midfield players.

"We've got Mason Grady, Max Lewellyn, Joe Roberts has been great, Keiran Williams and we've got Nick Tompkins to come back. There's some real depth there."

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Then, when asked about the players he was excited about, Roberts' name popped up again, saying: "The centres look pretty exciting. Joe Roberts is a bit different."

Now, it could all mean nothing. Williams' name-check ahead of the Six Nations resulted in the grand total of zero minutes - albeit the Ospreys centre did miss the final two games through injury.

Roberts, a new call-up for Wales' World Cup training squad, may not make the 33 that head to France. He might not even win a cap this summer, depending on what Gatland does in the warm-ups.

But, at the very least, Gatland's name-check shows just how far he's come. The 23-year-old has had to overcome two serious knee injuries since winning his U20s caps, but last season was breakout one for the centre.

As the Scarlets turned their fortunes around after Christmas, that new-found form coincided with the introduction of Roberts to the starting side.

At one point, he played nine straight matches in the 13 jersey for Dwayne Peel's side, such was his importance.

He's not exactly flashy, but he offers an assuredness beyond his years at outside centre. Defensively, he's solid and reads the game well, while he's capable with ball in hand.

Maybe that's what makes him a bit different.

Wales arguably haven't had a 'traditional 13' since Jonathan Davies. George North is a converted winger, while Mason Grady has similar traits.

They're big men who can carry explosively. Roberts isn't necessarily that, but he's maybe more natural in the position.

Sometimes, it doesn't feel like that's been the case in the Welsh midfield at times in recent years. Whether that's enough for Roberts to make an impact this year remains to be seen, but it certainly holds him in good stead in campaigns to come.

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