'Everyone gives me stick about the family being English, but in my heart it's Wales through and through' - Botham
Wales flanker James Botham admits it is a “dream come true” to play against England. The 22-year-old grandson of England cricket great Sir Ian Botham will make just his second international appearance in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup clash at Parc y Scarlets.
Cardiff-born Botham impressed on debut when Wales beat Georgia last weekend, but a far greater test awaits this weekend, especially opposite an England back-row of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola.
“I can’t wait,” Botham said. “It’s a dream come true. I have dreamt this moment since I was a kid, chucking a ball around.
“Words can’t really describe it. You work for something your whole life and this is probably the one thing I have worked for my whole life, to get the jersey on and play against England.
“Obviously, everyone gives me stick about the family being English and stuff, but in my heart it’s Wales through and through, and the family know that. Hopefully, I will do everyone proud.
“It is doing my own thing and creating my own legacy.
“I did play a bit of cricket when I was younger, but rugby has definitely always been the one for me.
“I am sure he (Sir Ian) will be backing me 100 per cent even though I haven’t got the white jersey he supports on.”
With flanker Justin Tipuric ruled out after suffering a head knock during the Georgia win, Botham moves from a blindside to openside role against England.
And another impressive display is sure to leave him firmly in Wales head coach Wayne Pivac’s thoughts ahead of the Guinness Six Nations later this season.
Botham added: “The Georgia game was a big step up from playing for the Blues. It’s going to be even more of a bigger step up this weekend.
“It’s just dealing with that and getting on with it.
“We know what the English back-row are going to come with, the intensity they are going to come with, we know what they do. I just want to focus on myself, really, and do my team-mates proud.
“I prefer to play seven. Playing with Shane (Lewis-Hughes) at six will be great. I just want to bring some physicality over the ball and with the ball, so it will be good to play with him again.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Glad he could get his chance to play professional rugby.
3 Go to commentsBrett I was only thinking last week the infamous Brett McKay mid season predictions would normally be due but unlikely due to a change in location and what do you know! This season has been absorbing with the up and down nature of the teams. 7 out of 7 for the Canes speaks volumes but then the group of 4 Chiefs, Blues , Brums & Rebels are making then competition interesting. Can’t see the rest making an impression on these 5 although if the Reds can rediscover the magic then they could challenge .
7 Go to commentsI don't think his remotely comparable to Larkham Larkham wasn't good, he was Great
2 Go to commentsWould be great to have a similar clause for Irish players.
1 Go to commentswhat a waste
5 Go to commentsAhh back when NZ rugby had more 12s than they knew what to do with. Credit to him that he must have been still getting selected up until he left, with that bunch around him, shame that he just missed out. No need to ditch the old fellas yet, look at Irelands example. Reckon theyll still go strong at 35+ too.
3 Go to commentsGood one! I’ll use this for the pod.
7 Go to commentsDecent or descent ?
7 Go to commentsOne was beginning to wonder if he would even rekindle his test career after he declined playing after WR changed their eligibility rules. Despite his late decision he still could have changed Samoa’s fortunes at the WC if he was fit.
2 Go to commentsHe never stops whinging. No wonder he is always chasing the next big dream.
2 Go to commentsI always enjoy a good scrum based article. Thanks, Nick. The Hurricanes are looking more and more the team to beat down here in Australasia. They are a very well balanced team. And though there are far fewer scrums in the game these days, destructive power in that area is a serious weapon, especially an attacking scrum within in the red zone. Aumua looked very good as a young first year player, but then seemed to fade. He sure is back now right in the picture for the AB’s. And I would judge that Taukei’aho is in a bit of a slump currently. Watching him at Suncorp a few weeks ago, I thought he was not as dominant in the game as I would have expected. I am going to raise an issue in that scrum at around the 13 min mark. I see a high level of danger there for the TH lifted off the ground. He is trapped between the opposition LH and his own powerful SR. His neck is being put under potentially dangerous pressure. The LH has, in law , no right to use his superior scrummaging skill….getting his head right in on the breastbone of the TH…..to force him up and off the ground. Had the TH popped out of the scrum, head up and free, there is no danger, that is a clear penalty to the dominant scrum. The law is quite clear on this issue: Law 37 Dangerous play and restricted practices in a scrum. C:Intentionally lifting an opponent off their feet or forcing them upwards out of the scrum. Sanction: Penalty. Few ,if any, referees seem to be aware of this law, and/or the dangers of the situation. Matthew Carly, refereeing Clermont v Munster in 2021, penalised the Munster scrum, when LH Wycherly was lifted very high, and in my view very dangerously, by TH Slimani. Lifting was coached in the late ‘60’s/70’s. Both Lions props, Ray McLouglin, and “Mighty Mouse” McLauchlan, were expert and highly successful at this technique. I have seen a photo, which I can’t find online atm, of MM with a NZ TH(not an AB) on his head, MM standing upright as the scrum disintegrates.
3 Go to commentsHey. Stay home and play for Mooloo.
1 Go to commentsTighthead was always going to be our weakness this year with Ryan going home to Ireland and the Cashed Up Blues taking a third All Black prop from us - nobody else in SR does that. Numia is the exciting one. He used to be a lightweight but he's really improved. Do you have stats on the All Black hookers’ lineouts for the game? I seem to remember a few misses.
3 Go to commentsFergus Burke isn't tier 1 player quality…but guess what, he'll be playing amongst them for Saracens…. all going well and Steve Borthwick is still the head coach, England...Scott Robertson’s hint of amending NZRU’s offshore AB eligibility clause, would mean that players like Josh Moorby who show potential might get a call…
5 Go to commentsThe movement of quality players back to SA is remarkable.
3 Go to commentsInteresting article, Nic. Am enjoying seeing the Rebels doing well, partly just to spite those who are working to wipe them off the face of the Australian rugby planet. But it is also good to see a team with somany good players beginning fire. LSL has benefitted so much from his move up to Northampton for the one year. I wonder why he did not stay on for another year. Does he now looks north and see his teammates of last year now doing so well, and have some regrets.
50 Go to comments“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
3 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
3 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to comments