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Warren Gatland makes new addition to Wales squad ahead of Springboks
By Josh Raisey
Cardiff back row James Botham has been drafted into Warren Gatland's Wales squad ahead of their encounter with world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 26-year-old's addition takes the total number of players in the squad to 38, ten of which are now from Cardiff as Botham joins Corey Domachowski, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Mackenzie Martin, Ellis Bevan, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Jacob Beetham and Cam Winnett in the squad.
The squad will be reduced after the clash with Rassie Erasmus' side to 34 players before they embark for Australia, where Wales will take on the Wallabies in two Tests and the Queensland Reds.
Botham started in Wales' opening match of the Guinness Six Nations this year against Scotland, scoring a try at the Principality Stadium, but was ruled out for the rest of the Championship due to a knee injury.
The ten-cap international returned to action in April, and went on to feature in Cardiff's last four fixtures of the United Rugby Championship season.
Updated Wales squad
Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dillon Lewis (Harlequins) Harri O'Connor (Scarlets), Henry Thomas (Castres Olympique), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Matthew Screech (Dragons), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), James Botham (Cardiff).
Backs: Ellis Bevan (Cardiff), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Eddie James (Scarlets). Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Keelan Giles (Ospreys), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Kubota Spears), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff).
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BPA is leagues better in the scrum. He’s easily the best in the country - the impact he makes to the scrum is noticeable.
Go to commentsAnyone that knows anything about rugby sees Rassie as a shrewd and smart operator. Someone who isn’t only unafraid of change but who initiates it and embraces it for positive gain. A wily coyote of a coach who has blazed a path littered with success. Sure there’s been a few bumps along the way but his record is there for all to see, unmatched. And he’s done it his way to boot…!
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