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'Everyone gives me stick about the family being English, but in my heart it's Wales through and through' - Botham
By PA
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.”
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Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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