James Botham

The grandson of cricket great Sir Ian Botham, James Botham has carved out his own identity in a very different sport as a back-row forward for Wales. Born on 22 February 1998, he is known for a high work rate, strong ball-carrying and a disruptive presence at the breakdown. Botham made his Wales debut in 2020 and has since established himself as a dependable squad option, valued for his defensive grit and his ability to cover across the back row. He brings energy and physicality to the contact area, the kind of honest forward graft that earns a player the trust of coaches. Mobile and combative, he offers flexibility in the loose trio, comfortable on the blindside flank but able to operate elsewhere when required. As his career develops, Botham continues to push for a more permanent role in a competitive Welsh back row, backing his durability and engine to make the difference.