The promising 24-year-old was wanted by the Scarlets - responsible for the north Wales region - but he says he had problems with the Llanelli side.

"I trained with them for two days but wasn't happy with things like expenses, or with the travelling," said Roberts.

"Sale have offered a three-day part time contract to the end of the season, hopefully I can then make it full-time. You could say I'm over the moon."

The 22-stone agricultural contractor - who will continue to help run his family business - made his senior Sale debut last Friday, ironically at Stradey Park in the 24-23 loss to the Scarlets.

The Llanelli side had wanted him to join their Welsh Premier feeder club Llandovery, a move which would have committed him to three-and-a-half hour journeys for every home match.

Roberts' decision to opt for the relatively short journey to Sale will open renewed questions over the Scarlets' ability to properly serve emerging talent from the north Wales area.