Jamie Roberts tests positive for Covid-19 in huge blow for Guinness PRO14

Jamie Roberts has tested positive for coronavirus in news which throws the scheduled return of the Guinness PRO14 in Wales into severe doubt.

Former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Roberts signed for Welsh side Dragons at the start of August after leaving South African giants Stormers.

The 33-year-old had been training with his new team ahead of their game with the Ospreys on Sunday, but he has since contracted Covid-19.

Jamie Roberts has tested positive for coronavirus, putting the Guinness PRO14 return in doubt

He has been placed into isolation and won’t play this weekend, but Roberts’ diagnosis also raises big questions over whether Welsh rugby can even come back as planned.

The Scarlets are set to host Cardiff Blues on Saturday with the Dragons travelling to the Ospreys in Swansea a day later. Both of those games – the first scheduled in Wales since the pandemic hit – must now be considered in doubt.

A Dragons statement read: ‘Dragons Rugby has returned a positive case for Covid-19 in Welsh Rugby’s testing programme in the round of tests taken week commencing Monday, August 11.

‘All subsequent Public Health Wales and Government guidelines are being followed and the individual – who is symptom free and in good health – is currently isolating.

‘Dragons Rugby is part of the wider Welsh Rugby Union screening programme which has conducted over 1,100 tests to date as part of the return to training/playing process.

‘This is a confidential and private health matter and we will make no further comment.’

Roberts joined the Dragons from at the start of August after leaving the Stormers

Roberts had returned from South Africa when lockdown began and the qualified doctor began working with the National Health Service in Cardiff with no rugby on the horizon.

At that stage he was also a free agent and not contracted to any team.

Prior to his move to Dragons being confirmed, Roberts had spent time travelling in France and it is understood he also went on holiday to Croatia last week.

The 94-cap Test midfielder also remains close friends with players at his former team the Blues and there is genuine concern the virus may well have spread to the Welsh capital side’s camp as well.

The Dragons are now also in full panic mode as they try to find out if more of their players have also contracted Covid-19.

Dean Ryan has been preparing his side for their first game of the restart against Ospreys

Roberts and his fellow Dragons team-mates have been tested for coronavirus every Tuesday since they returned to training with the results coming back 24 hours later.

Roberts’ test which returned positive came last week. Roberts was contacted for comment.

Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan said: ‘It’s been a long period since we returned to training with no guarantee of when the start would be.

‘It’s been a really strange, tough time. Everyone just wants to play now.’

It is unclear whether Ryan knew of Roberts’ diagnosis at the time, but what is certain is that his marquee signing won’t be making his Dragons debut on Sunday.