Roberts was a vice-president of the Barbarians and as a player was a visitor to South Wales for the Easter tour matches for some 50 years as player and selector.
He was born in Penryn and was a regular performer in the Cornwall side’ always playing robustly, but also usually having a huge grin on his face. When his job in Customs and Excise brought him to Swansea he alternated with internationals Clem Thomas, Dil Johnson and Roger Blyth for a back-row place, as well as making appearances in the Welsh Civil Service side.
He was first capped by England in 1947, scoring a try against France on his debut. He played four times in 1949, three in 1950, four in 1951 (whilst with Swansea), but was not capped again until 1956 when he played all four games in the Championship.
He toured with the Lions, though not making the test side, and appeared for Harlequins and Penryn, having been a Lieutenant in the RNVR in World War 2.
A most popular man, he lived latterly in Feock, Cornwall and Guildford, where he died last Sunday. It was said that he had in his home a collection of a dozen records made by the ‘Singing Lions’ on tour.
