Ex-Wales and Lions ace Jamie Roberts has named the greatest teammate he’s played with and his two toughest opponents after announcing his retirement from rugby on Tuesday.

Roberts officially retired from rugby on social media on Tuesday night, bringing down the curtain on a glittering career during which he played for 15 years and won 97 Test caps.

RECAP: How each Springbok centurion celebrated their 100th

In a column for the Daily Mail, Roberts reflected on his professional career and named a couple of the toughest players he came up against, while also giving credit to his best-ever teammate.

Among his greatest opponents, Roberts lists Jean de Villiers, whom he faced both in the colours of Wales and the British & Irish Lions in 2009.

“My first Wales game at 12 was against Jean. Loftus in 2008,” said Roberts.

“We played in a similar way and were a similar build. He was a real stalwart who I looked up to.”

Roberts also says former All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu, who helped New Zealand win back-to-back World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015, was incredibly difficult to play against.

“He had this low centre of gravity that allowed him to change his point of contact so late,” says Roberts. “You think you’d have a shot but, bang, he was gone.”

As for his best-ever teammate, Roberts says former Wales wing Shane Williams was the finest he shared a pitch with.

“Those little ’uns were tough to catch! Fortunately, we were on the same team more often than not,” added Roberts.

MORE: Wales tight-lipped over skipper’s fitness

Photo: David Davies – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images