Roberts relieved by 'lucky' blow

HEINEKEN CUP POOL SIX
Venue: Arms Park Date: Friday, 5 December Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports One and S4C, live commentary on BBC Radio Wales (FM) and online and score updates on BBC Sport website

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Longer interview: Jamie Roberts

Jamie Roberts admits he is "lucky" after fracturing his skull in Wales' 21-18 win over Australia in Cardiff.

The Blues centre clashed with Australia captain Stirling Mortlock but played a major part in Wales' opening try before being forced off with the injury.

Roberts will miss the Blues' Heineken Cup clash with Biarritz at the Arms Park on Friday while fly-half Nicky Robinson needs a late fitness test.

"I'm fortunate because it could have been much worse," said Roberts.

Roberts faces up to two months on the sidelines, the remainder of the Blues' European Pool campaign, after his second minute collision with fellow centre Mortlock.

It's a massive double header for us - we can either take massive strides in this tournament or we can put ourselves under a lot of pressure Cardiff Blues head coach Dai Young

But the 22-year-old medical student is pragmatic.

"In hindsight I shouldn't have played on," he told BBC Sport.

"I was lucky not to get hit again because it could have been much worse.

"But I didn't want to come, I'd play on with a broken leg because I wanted to do my bit for the team.

"I felt okay at the time and not too dizzy but the headache was so painful, I had to come off.

"A fractured skull sounds quite dramatic and it is a serious injury but I didn't think it was that bad. I was shocked when they told me.

"I'm not feeling too bad now, I've got a bit of a headache and feel tired, I had the worst nights sleep of my life because someone was snoring on the ward!

"It's a rare injury for rugby as the doctors told me they've never seen a rugby injury like this.

"I was disappointed to miss the celebrations, the boys said it was one hell of a night. Beating Australia is a great moment in Welsh sport and it was a night they won't forget and nor will I!"

It's massive - at the moment our season depends on it Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Robinson on their games with Biarritz

Roberts is a definite absentee for Dai Young's Blues squad as the Pool Six leaders hosts second-placed Biarritz Olympique at the Arms Park on Friday.

But fellow Blues centre Jamie Robinson does not think it will be a major issue.

"Tom [Shanklin] has played plenty in the centre alongside me - the three of us have rotated throughout the start of the season so there's no issue there. We're going to keep playing as we have done."

And Robinson admits the next eight days are absolutely crucial for the Blues - they host Biarritz on Friday and then visit the Basque side the following Saturday.

"It is a massive period for us. This time last year we picked up a bonus point at Paris and won with a bonus point at home. It changed our season.

"If we can do something similar this time, we'll put ourselves in a great situation. It's massive - at the moment our season depends on it."

606: DEBATE I thought the Blues players all played well through the autumn internationals - and in particular Andy Powell bedfordshireblue

Young said: "We've had a good start, that's all. It's important we keep the momentum going.

"If we can get back-to-back wins here, we'd like to think you can take it as read we'll beat Calvisano - otherwise you don't deserve to go through, then it's pretty immaterial what happens at Gloucester.

"It's a massive double header for us - we can either take massive strides in this tournament or we can put ourselves under a lot of pressure."

Nicky Robinson, who picked up an injury at Glasgow on Friday, has recovered.

The Blues are also boosted their returning Welsh players, including star back-rowers Martyn Williams and Andy Powell, prop Gethin Jenkins and backs Leigh Halfpenny and Tom Shanklin.

Centre Shanklin and prop Gethin Jenkins come back into a Cardiff side who have won their last five Heineken Cup games at the Arms Park and have already beaten Calvisano and Gloucester in Europe this season.

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Cardiff Blues: B Blair; L Halfpenny, J Robinson, T Shanklin, G Thomas; N Robinson, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, G Powell, D Jones, P Tito [capt], M Molitika, M Williams, A Powell. Replacements: F Filise, T Thomas, S Morgan, R Sowden-Taylor, D Allinson, C Sweeney, T James.

Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque: B Thiery; T Ngwenya, P Bidabe, D Traille, I Bolakoro; J Peyrelongue, F Cibray; F Barcella, B Noirot, M Moala, J Thion [capt], T Hall, P Som, M Dridi, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: B August, E Coetzee, C Damiani, W Lauret, R Cabannes, J Roidot, L Tranier.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).