Roberts was also involved in a controversial Lions moment.
Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll played in the first two Tests against Australia in 2013, but was left out for the deciding match, causing shockwaves in the rugby world.
O’Driscoll, a Lions captain in 2005, was tipped by many to lead the team for the decider with Sam Warburton out injured.
Instead, Gatland opted to go for his Wales centre pairing of Roberts, who missed the first two Tests because of injury, and Jonathan Davies.
Roberts’ injury meant Davies started the first two Tests at inside centre instead of outside centre, and his move into O’Driscoll’s 13 shirt put him in the firing line.
“One thing I have massive respect for with Warren Gatland is that he wasn’t one for sentimentality,” Roberts recalled.
“That was Warren through and through. He shut out the outside noise and believed in what his ears heard and eyes saw.
“BOD [Brian O’Driscoll] by his own admission wasn’t brilliant in that Test series. In 2009 he was brilliant and in 2013 he was playing well but not like in 2001 and 2009.
“I made myself fit and Warren, with the Test series in the balance, saw strength in picking a familiar Welsh spine.
“He saw past the sentiment and the need to satisfy the four countries and BOD’s last Test as a Lions great.
“Jon [Davies] sat on the bus beside me and said ‘I am going to take some stick here’ and there was a Facebook page called ‘Justice for BOD’ with a million likes.
“Luckily for me Jon took all the flack.”
Gatland’s call came up trumps as a Lions side featuring 10 Welshmen in the starting XV thumped the Wallabies 41-16 to clinch the series, with Roberts scoring the final try.
