RUGBY fans in Oswestry are being invited to an evening with former Wales and British & Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts as he talks about his life and career as well as his new autobiography.

The evening is being held at the Lion Quays Hotel in Gobowen on Wednesday, December 1, with the 954-times capped Roberts discussing his rugby career live on stage with sports writer and TV presenter Ross Harries. This will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Tickets are £20 which includes a signed copy of the former Cardiff Blues, Racing Metro, Harlequins and Bath centre’s new book ‘Centre Stage’. The event will start at 7.30pm, with doors open from 6.30pm.

Compere Harries said on Twitter: “Load up the transit van, we're taking the tour to Oswestry.

“Looking forward to sharing an evening with book lovers and rugby fans. As it's technically in England, Jamie Roberts and I will keep the RWC 2015 chat to a minimum.”

Roberts is your quintessential hard man: a 6’ 4”, 17 stone slab of rippling muscle, conditioned to run hard into other huge men in an arena where physical dominance is the prime currency. Yet away from rugby, he's a mild-mannered and thoughtful man – a qualified doctor with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world around him.

In his first full season with the Blues he was picked by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the Grand Slam-winning side of 2008. He was still establishing his position in the national team when he toured with the 2009 Lions, emerging as player of the series. He went on to win 97 Test caps and play for clubs in Paris, London and Cape Town, yet his career has seldom been straightforward.

A fractured skull was one of many injuries he had to overcome, and from the start he had to juggle the competing demands of university life and professional rugby. The joy of Six Nations success with Wales was balanced by heartbreak in the World Cup and disappointment against southern-hemisphere teams, while major trophies at club level proved frustratingly elusive.

In this colourful and frank account of a sterling career, Roberts reveals all about life on tour, in boot camps and in dressing rooms filled with once-in-a-generation characters like Mike Phillips, Andy Powell, Shaun Edwards, Martyn Williams, Brian O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton. He also shares his views on concussion in rugby, the failings of the professional structure in Wales and the vital role of old-school team-bonding.

For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-jamie-roberts-tickets-201525336707.