Upbeat Roberts is sure Wales are in safe hands
Joe Roberts has no doubt that the future is bright for Wales as a testing Guinness Six Nations campaign nears its conclusion.
Wales head into Saturday's Cardiff finale against Italy after suffering four successive defeats in this season's tournament.
It has left them facing the possibility of a first wooden spoon since 2003, with Italy's visit to Cardiff a shoot-out to avoid finishing bottom.
Italy have propped up the Six Nations table for eight seasons in a row, yet a 31-29 victory over Scotland has given them impetus to avoid that fate.
Wales will go into the game after a 45-24 loss against France, which followed defeats by Scotland, England and Ireland.
Roberts made his first Six Nations start in the France game, while Wales head coach Warren Gatland has handed Test debuts to five players during the competition - Cameron Winnett, Evan Lloyd, Archie Griffin, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin.
A sizeable post-world Cup rebuilding job is under way, with Wales having gone into the Six Nations following the international retirements of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny, unavailability of players like Liam Williams and Louis Rees-zammit, plus injuries suffered by Gareth Anscombe, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau, among others.
"That could be the best thing really, getting chucked in at the deep end sometimes," Scarlets centre Roberts said. "It's sink or swim, really. Boys will be forced to perform.
"There is a lot of rugby to come, so hopefully I can get myself on that summer tour [to Australia] and get a bit more experience in this jersey. That is what this group needs as a whole.
"We need experienced players out there internationally, and come the end of the year there could be [new] boys with ten-plus caps in most positions.
"I fully back ourselves to put in performances and get wins. I have no doubt about that with this group."
Looking ahead to the weekend’s wooden spoon decider, Roberts added: "I am fully expecting the boys to go out there and get a win. It is a hungry changing room."