RUMOUR | Jamie Roberts could make shock Premiership return

bySteven Smith

It's been reported that Jamie Roberts could join Leicester Tigers after a proposed move to return to Wales with the Dragons reportedly broke down.

The 33-year-old, who toured with the Lions in 2009 and 2013, is a free agent after his five-month deal with Super Rugby franchise the Stormers came to an end.

Roberts possible move to the Dragons hit a major stumbling block on Friday as representatives in the regional game were left perplexed by the deal.

The Dragons, who are owned by the WRU, have continued recruitment activity in light of an understanding that they were supposed to put a freeze on signing new players during the coronavirus pandemic.

Regional employees, including off-field staff, have taken a 25 per cent pay cut due to the financial implications of Covid-19, many have been on furlough and the threat of redundancy sadly looms for some.

It's now thought that Roberts is looking at other options with a return to Cardiff Blues also mooted.

He spent the first six years as a professional in the Welsh capital, and the list of locations he has ticked off since leaving in 2013 have been enviable.

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Paris, London and Bath have been his homes over the past seven years.

According to RUCK sources, Leicester are monitoring the 94-ccap juggernaut's situation, and have made initial contact.

Despite interest, we understand that Roberts has not intention of heading to France or Japan.

The powerhouse centre won the last of 94 Wales caps in November 2017 and remains available for Test selection.

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UPDATED | British & Irish Lions predicted 2021 starting XV, according to the bookies

Odds are accurate on Wednesday,3rd July, 8am, and are subject to change.

Fullback: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales 4/7)

Other contenders: Stuart Hogg (Scotland 4/6), Jordan Larmour (Ireland EVS), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales 5/1), George Furbank (England 7/2)

Left wing: JONNY MAY (England 1/25)

Other contenders: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland 1/3), Adam Radwan (England 40/1), Jack Nowell (England 11/4), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales 13/8)

Outside-centre: JONATHAN DAVIES (Wales 1/3)

Other contenders: Henry Slade (England 5/6), Garry Ringshow (Ireland 4/6), Jonathan Joseph (England 13/8), Chris Harris (Scotland 20/1), Huw Jones (Scotland 6/1)

Inside-centre: MANU TUILAGI (England 1/3)

Other contenders: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland 5/6), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales 5/4), Sam Johnson (Scotland 9/2)

Right wing: JOSH ADAMS (Wales 1/18)

Other contenders: Anthony Watson (England 4/6), George North (Wales 2/1), Elliot Daly (England 10/11), Joe Cokanasiga (England 3/1), Keith Earls (Ireland 9/2)

Fly-half: OWEN FARRELL (England 1/25)

Other contenders: Johnny Sexton (Ireland 1/2), Dan Biggar (Wales 8/15), Finn Russell (Scotland 3/1), Marcus Smith (England 8/1)

Scrum-half: CONOR MURRAY (Ireland 4/6)

Other contenders: Tomos Williams (Wales 5/4), Ben Youngs (England 6/4), Ali Price (Scotland 2/1)

Looshead-prop: MAKO VUNIPOLA (England 4/6)

Other contenders: Ellis Genge (England 1/3), Cian Healy (Ireland 5/6), Joe Marler (England 5/2)

Hooker: JAMIE GEORGE (England 1/10)

Other contenders: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England 4/6), Ken Owens (Wales 7/4), Stuart McInally (Scotland 7/2)

Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland 1/15)

Other contenders: Kyle Sinckler (England 1/5), Tomas Francis (Wales 11/8), Harry Williams (England 5/1)

Lock: MATO ITOJE (England 1/10)

Other contenders: James Ryan (Ireland 1/5), Jonny Gray (Scotland 8/11)

Lock: ALUN WYN JONES (Wales 1/5)

Other contenders: Iain Henderson (Ireland 4/6), Courtney Lawes (England 5/4), George Kruis (England 7/2), Jean Kleyn (Ireland 33/1), Richie Gray (Scotland 5/1)