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Jamie Roberts fulfilled his dream of playing live on stage with the Manic Street Preachers tonight as they performed in front of thousands of fans in Melbourne.

The Lions star, who has been ruled out of tomorrow's second Test through injury, joined the band on stage to strut his stuff, with fans' hailing the rugby star's performance.

Roberts played the hit track You Love Us towards the end of a 19-song set list that opened with Motorcycle Emptiness and finished with a rousing rendition of Tolerate.

The keen guitarist was invited to be a guest guitarist during the band's concerts in Melbourne today and Sydney next Friday.

The Manics, who had a top-10 hit with the song ’Australia’, are huge rugby fans and they have lined up the concerts to coincide with the Lions’ second and third Tests against the Wallabies.

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The Welsh band are also planning a special free gig in Melbourne tomorrow - just hours before kick-off in the crunch second Test.

Ahead of the tour, Roberts said: “I have had a chat with James Dean Bradfield about that and he suggested I get up on stage to play a bit of rhythm guitar.

As soon as the star appeared on stage, pictures spread across social networking sites Twitter and Instagram

“He would have to let me know which song so I can get a bit of practice in! That would be pretty cool.

“This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours was one of the albums I grew up with and one of those albums I know the word to every song.

“Their song ’Australia’ sticks in the memory for me. It is a wonderful song and I am sure they will finish the gigs with it!

“James is a wonderful bloke, a true Welshman, a big Cardiff Blues fan and it is great to see them playing gigs in Australia alongside the Lions.”

On the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa, Riki Flutey and Roberts were the Lions’ guitar heroes.

Last year, Roberts borrowed an acoustic guitar from Bradfield to help pass the time as he recovered from knee surgery.

“That was pretty cool,” Roberts said.

“I have still got the 2009 signed guitar in my house, which is a nice momento," he added.

Here's how Jamie's magical night unfolded...