POPULAR sports commentator, TV presenter and former Welsh rugby international, Eddie Butler, will be signing his latest book in Cwmbran this month.

While rugby has played a huge part in sports star's life - from playing it to writing about it - his latest novel ‘The Asparagus Thieves’ is his first novel not to contain a rugby-based plot.

The story covers a century of Welsh history interweaving the trials and tribulations of character Post Jones and his old schoolfriend Corinthia Williams post-World War One.

The former Pontypool RFC player’s first two novels previously followed Gonzo Davies -who returns to his struggling village club after being removed from the professional game.

“It was time to try something else. It was a natural progression to go beyond. The Gonzo books had given me confidence, I suppose to explore other avenues of writing,” Mr Butler said.

“World War One has been my life these last three years.

“I have been presenting a lot of war programmes recently – there has been a lot of interest in World War One, especially.

“It has become a subject very dear to my heart. I have a fascination for it.”

Mr Butler will meet his fans at the book signing event at Cwmbran’s WHSmith on Friday, November 24 between 12pm - 2pm.