NEW Wales hooker Bradley Roberts admits his shock Test bow this autumn has complicated his future with current Irish employers Ulster.
But the South Africanborn forward is clear in his desire that he is now targeting a consistent place in Wayne Pivac's squad going into 2022.
Roberts, 25, was plucked from relative obscurity by Wales head coach Pivac and selected on the back of just ten games for Ulster.
He made his international debut against the country of his birth and was then an unused replacement in the gritty victory over Fiji.
Roberts qualifies for Wales through his grandparents Glyn and Margaret. He joined Ulster only last year and his contract in Belfast expires at the end of the season.
Welsh Rugby Union selection rules mean Roberts will have to join a Welsh region when that time comes. His predicament is well-known to all four Welsh regions.
“I'm just going to have to see how it plays out,” Roberts said. “I'm still focused on doing well for Ulster this season. As everyone knows if I want to carry on playing for Wales, I have to play there moving forwards.
“I need to keep focused on Ulster, but things will start to happen pretty soon now. Every game is a championship game for me because I don't have that many under my belt.
“I have to perform in every match because it's another chance to carry on proving myself.”
Roberts continued: “I 100 per cent want to be a regular with Wales now. My goals have changed completely. Now I've got a taste of it, I just want more.
“I need to keep putting in performances to put my name in the hat. My strengths are definitely my physicality, especially with ball in hand. I like to win collisions, make metres, and beat defenders.
“I just love the ball in my hands and in defence I like making big, solid hits. I like to bring a lot of energy in attack and defence. I know my role as a substitute well now.
“Nine of my ten games for Ulster have come off the bench. I know I have to come on and make a difference. Going forwards I don't see myself in that role. I want to be the starting hooker – you don't play rugby to be a reserve. Replacements are very much necessary, but I want to start.”
Roberts lost his father Andy – the son of Glyn and Margaret – to cancer in 2019 and hopes to do him proud in the rest of his career.
“That was part and parcel of me making the Wales decision – 100 per cent,” said Roberts, who has come a long way very quickly after past stints with RGC 1404 and Rainey Old Boys.
“It was a hard one because I've loved playing for Ulster, but I just thought about how proud my dad would be if I did end up playing for Wales. My grandparents were very, very Welsh even when they lived in South Africa. They were very patriotic. There is a big part of me that is very much Welsh.”
