Jamie Roberts gives the thumbs up© (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

Racing Metro's Jamie Roberts has criticised the style of play in France's Top 14, citing it as a reason for his move to Harlequins as he seeks creative stimulation on and off the field in England.

The Welsh centre escaped his three-year deal at Racing Metro early this month and will join up with Quins after the Rugby World Cup.

But the Londoners will have to wait to see the British & Irish Lion in action as Roberts intends to go back to university at Cambridge, hoping to study in the city for the full first term before going part‑time to don the quartered jersey at the Twickenham Stoop.

And, at the age of 28, he believes turning down an offer from Cardiff Blues and opting to move to London will give him a new lease of life.

"I am always looking to improve and evolve as a rugby player," Roberts told the Daily Telegraph. "At times in France, you go into some matches and it can be glorified rugby league. That's difficult. You want to challenge yourself and play a good brand of rugby.

"Playing at Quins is going to expose me to a brand of rugby which I may not have tasted too much in my career and that's going to develop certain aspects of my game."

Roberts claims he lacked mental stimulation off the pitch in France - where others were pining for the Xbox during their downtime, the Cardiff medicine graduate wanted academic inspiration.

In fact, just days after Wales beat England 30-3 to seal the 2013 Six Nations, Roberts took his final medical paper. Now, he is even aiming at the Varsity match and adding further strings to his academic bow.

And he admits that, with a move to Quins, a weight will be lifted from his hefty shoulders.

"It has probably been the most difficult decision of my career. It has been a nightmare actually. I was mulling over it during the Six Nations and that was difficult because you can't let that affect your game," Roberts added.

"Getting everything sorted in my life will allow me to focus 100% on the present. You find that your love for tackling, passing a rugby ball and hitting rucks increases because that's all you have to worry about.

"Having everything mapped out means I can concentrate on the here and now, which is helping Racing Metro to the Top 14 title and working as hard as I can to make the Wales squad for the summer."