Jamie Roberts 'educates' Brian O'Driscoll on Wales star he knows very little about

Jamie Roberts has explained the importance of Wales star Ben Thomas to Ireland great Brian O'Driscoll.

Thomas is part of Warren Gatland's 35-player group for the autumn internationals, and while his skill level is appreciated by those who watch Welsh regional rugby, his talents ar enot as well known to those outside Wales.

Speaking on TNT Sports, British and Irish Lion O'Driscoll addressed the 25-year-old and wanted to learn more about him after Gatland branded the Cardiff Rugby star as "the best back in Wales".

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"I'm ready to be educated," began O'Driscoll. "Because Ben Thomas isn't someone that is very high on my radar. So, give us a bit of insight."

"Top player," answered legendary centre Roberts. "Can play 10 or 12. The best back playing club rugby in Wales? I would agree. But I think Tomos Williams at Gloucester would have something to say about that as the best Welsh back, obviously he is not playing his club rugby in Wales.

"Tomos Williams, Max Llewelyn, Gareth Anscombe, (Josh) Hathaway on the wing. Gloucester is a bit of a fifth region for us at the minute with some top players."

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"Does Ben start?," asked O'Driscoll.

"Tricky with Anscombe coming back in at 10," answered Roberts. "I think with Tomos and Gareth, and the relationship they've got and the form they've shown early season, as a pair, I've got a feeling Warren might go for those two as a pair, which means Ben would play 12.

"But, then you need a ball carrier at 13."

"That's what I was going to ask you, who plays 13?," asked former Scarlets star John Barclay.

"I love the look of the two young centres Warren has picked," said Roberts. "Eddie James, Max Llewelyn. Two with all the tools to be great Test players. We know the experience of Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin, but one of those (aforementioned) at 13, picking lines off Ben Thomas.

"Ben Thomas is a really nice footballer. He's put on some timber as well, he's got ball carrying punch now as well. It starts to look like a bit of an embarrassment of riches, all being, they are very young. Ben Thomas - best back playing in Wales? Agree. Best Welsh back at the minute? Tomos Williams."

Earlier this week, Thomas sat down with WalesOnline's Ben James for video analysis about his game, which you can read more about here.

After being branded the best back in Wales, Thomas has received some flak from his teammates at Cardiff. “I’m sure you can imagine what they’re saying,” said Thomas. “It’s obviously nice to hear from him [Gatland] but I suppose it’s going to be a different challenge playing Test matches than it is the URC."

The St Peter's RFC product has earned four caps for Wales since making his debut against Canada in 2021.