Ireland’s Oliver Roberts signs long-term deal with Championship club
Sheffield have signed Ireland international Oliver Roberts on a three-year deal from fellow Championship club Newcastle Thunder.
The 27-year-old back-rower will again link up with Sheffield boss Mark Aston, who coached him for Ireland during the 2017 World Cup.
Roberts has made more than 150 career appearances for Ireland, Bradford, Huddersfield and Newcastle.
Aston said: “He had interest from Super League and NRL clubs after the 2017 World Cup.
“This is the calibre of player we’re speaking about here.
“He hasn’t had the best time of it at Newcastle and we want to spark him back to life and get his career back on track.
“We have decided to give him a multi-year contract as we know he has what it takes to really make an impact in this division for a prolonged period.
“We have a father-son sort of relationship, which stretches back to my time as Ireland coach. He’s a top bloke and one that will become a fan favourite at the OLP (Olympic Legacy Park).”
Oliver Roberts delighted to reunite with Mark Aston
Roberts has won nine international caps for Ireland, scoring six tries.
He said: “I am really happy. I played for Tubby in the World Cup and we’d always have a call once a month about rugby and life in general.
“I always had a laugh and a joke with him that before I retired, I’d play for him again and now the time has come.
“He calls me his son, so much so that it goes me then Cory!
“He’s tough on me, he gives me the home truths that sometimes you don’t want to hear. He is a realistic person, he’s a good guy.
“I like where the club is going, especially with the team they’ve recruited. It’s a team to be reckoned with.
“The staff they’ve got are good people and I have good mates there, like Tyler Dickinson, that have only said good things and that’s enough for me.”
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