British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts admits the road to recovery from defeat last weekend has been tough as another gruelling encounter with South Africa awaits on Saturday.
Roberts was part of the Wales side that lost 34-16 to New Zealand – the Lions’ hosts in 2017 – following defeat to Australia and victory over Fiji earlier in the month.
Wales – led by British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland – finish their autumn this weekend by hosting the Springboks.
And Roberts, who scored as the Lions clinched series victory in Australia last year, insists he is ready to end the month on a high.
“It's taken me about four or five days to recover from the weekend,” said the 28-year-old. “It was car-crash stuff on the weekend.
“I take anti-inflammatory medication before most games now just to reduce swelling in knees and ankles and so forth.
“It numbs most things during the game, but when the affect of that wears off. Usually the day after a game you feel alright, it's the day after that, Monday or Tuesday, it's pretty horrific.
“People are always very quick to look at results. Yes we would have loved to have beaten Australia or New Zealand, or both.
“But as a player, even though you lose a few of those games, you learn and gain far more than if you'd won 40 or 50-0 against a second-tier nation.”
