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Beck gearing up for Roberts trial

Beck gearing up for Roberts trial

Ospreys centre Ashley Beck is gearing up for a trial by combat against Jamie Roberts ahead Racing Metro’s trip to Swansea.

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Beck, 24, has never faced the Wales colossus despite starting his Ospreys career as a 17-year-old back in 2007.
But he may finally get the chance to stake a claim for the Wales number 12 jersey when the European Rugby Champions Cup returns to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

He said: “It is always nice to play against someone who is currently playing for Wales as it allows you to measure yourself against them and see where you have to be.

“If I get picked, it would be great to play against Jamie. I thought he did very well against the All Blacks and did everything that Wales expected of him in keeping Sonny Bill Williams quiet. That’s a tough ask.

“I have never played against Jamie before. Every time we played the Cardiff Blues, he seemed to have a niggle.”

Roberts heads into Europe fresh from ending Wales’ 22-match losing run against the southern hemisphere trio of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Beck is back in an Ospreys short after returning from a hip problem that had sidelined the 7-cap international for six months. And he has turned to his regional centre partner Andrew Bishop for advice on how to give the doctor a taste of his own medicine.

He said: “Andrew Bishop has played against him, though, and he has done enough in the games to know how to keep Jamie quiet.”

Ospreys need a home win to get their Pool Five campaign back on track after George North ran riot in their 34-6 defeat to Northampton Saints.

But they will have to do it against a Racing side who have inside knowledge, with former Osprey Mike Phillips and Wales lock Luke Charteris amongst their ranks.

 

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