Jamie Roberts: I know what Cory Allen will be going through before his Wales debut, and he’s smart enough to rise to the occasion

I expect the quality of this Welsh side to kick in come 50/60 minutes

Cory Allen trains at the Millennium Stadium yesterday ahead of his debut for Wales against Argentina today (Getty)

I pulled into the car park at Cardiff Arms Park earlier this week and the first person I saw coming out of the office was Cory Allen. He looked nervous ahead of his Wales debut, even admitted as much.

It’s funny, it brought back memories of my first cap in 2008 and I’m absolutely delighted for him that he’s going to be going through those emotions. I remember that first cap like it was yesterday, although I’ve forgotten most of the night that followed! It’s just so unique – ask any player – and they’ll tell you it’s just the most special moment.

I know Cory quite well. He’s like me, I see a bit of me in him. He’s from Cardiff, a young centre with a similar frame, plus he’s a similar sort of player. I only got my chance – on the wing as it happened – for the Blues because of an injury and, by the end of the year, I had my first international cap. His rise has been even quicker.

First and foremost, I’m delighted that he’s got the chance to play for the Blues and now Wales. He’s a player with huge potential and a big frame still to fill. As for passing on advice, I didn’t say a great deal, really. I just told him it goes quick, just enjoy it, work hard and enjoy the day with family and friends as it only happens once.

When you watch him play, you’ll see he really does have all the attributes to be a wonderful player – he’s halfway there already but with such a big scope to go on. He’s skilful, agile and quick, he’s got a good pass and is a clever player.

OK, he’s relatively inexperienced so Warren Gatland’s taking a risk but Warren’s never been afraid to chuck the younger guys in. Cory knows it’s a golden opportunity and he shouldn’t be afraid to fail. Just go out there, express yourself and know the whole country’s behind you. He definitely has enough talent to be in the team.

Cory’s got his chance because of injury to Jonathan Davies and, when it comes round to the World Cup in two years’ time, I think we’ll all realise this is a blessing in disguise. Warren has the chance to develop strength in depth and you need to remember that a lot of players only get their opportunities through injury.

At the other end of the spectrum is Gethin Jenkins, ahead of his 100th cap for Wales. Truly, he is a wonderful player, one of the greatest Welsh players to have ever lived. Week in, week out, his performances are of such a high calibre. It’s akin to having another back-row forward on the field; he’s just a very, very special player.

The biggest compliment I could have given him as a young player first breaking into the side is that he was someone I looked up to. He’s someone that commands respect in rugby circles, just one of those guys I tried to learn so much from.

OK, between a prop and centre, our skill sets are different – although he’s a very skilful and unique player – but he had a massive effect on me as a person, someone I had huge respect for, looked up to and listened to – and still do.

From my perspective, this week has been hard. We at Racing Metro have a week off so I’ve returned to the Wales camp to continue my rehab, and it’s hard seeing everyone gearing up for a game but not being involved. For me that’s the absolute worst part of being a professional sportsman.

I’ll be working for the BBC at the game, which is great but horrific at the same time. It’s actually easier to deal with injuries when away in Paris but coming back here it’s so close yet so far. There’s massive frustration but that’s the nature of the beast and maybe I’ll learn some things, get a different view and hope that enables me to understand our system better for the future. What I would say is it certainly motivates you.

Looking back on the South Africa game, I don’t want to come up with the typical Welsh excuses but some of the tries were close. But what was so disheartening was it was a game that could have been won. Saying that, I thought the boys played with immense passion in a physical war – it always is against South Africa – and they fronted up in a big, big battle.

I know Warren talked about issues with line breaks against the Springboks and that was a problem. With the calibre of back-line players such as Jonathan Davies and George North, every time they get the ball you have to expect them to make the breaks and react. We need to flood the channels, attack the individuals and react better.

Rugby isn’t rocket science, it essentially hasn’t changed for over a century. You attack where there’s space and it’s about executing that under pressure. But the amount the squad would have learnt from Saturday is priceless, not just for the Argentina game but moving forward to the World Cup. It’s those experiences that you harness.

So how to tackle the Pumas? I can’t remember much about last year’s match as I was knocked out after 10 minutes but the guys will be looking to right that wrong, to get revenge. After last weekend, it becomes a game of huge importance.

Last year, we lost the battle of the gain line. When we carried the ball, we didn’t cross it, when they did they made good yards. Once they’re playing on the front foot, their offloading game comes in, it’s nice and fluid, plus they showed in the Rugby Championship how much their kick and chase game has improved.

But I still expect the quality and intensity of this Welsh side to kick in come 50/60 minutes with a few tries. I’d predict Wales to win by 12 points.

French experience benefits our players

Jon Davies is the last player set to make the move to France and congratulations. Recently, a lot of the headlines have focused on whether is it good for Wales or bad, but we have to go back to the region. Is it good for the Scarlets that he’s going? Of course they’ll be massively disappointed to lose a player of Jon’s quality.

But that’s professional sport and football’s been like it for a long time. Players come and go, younger guys come through and get the chance to shine. Transfers in rugby will become more like football each year. And really it’s up to Jon what he does with his career. He’s a clever guy in his own right and wants to move clubs to improve his game. He will still have full release to play for Wales and the Top 14 is a marvellous competition, while Clermont are a wonderful side with 20,000 supporters a week.

There’s quite a Welsh hub in France now and that’s brilliant. After the game in which I got injured, I chatted to James Hook afterwards and was chatting to Lee Byrne when Clermont were in Paris. I’m only three games in but it’s been a great experience. It’s just wonderful to try something new, and that was reinforced by being in Cardiff this week. Don’t get me wrong, I love the city, it’s my hometown, but it’s all I’ve ever known.