Pivac backs Botham to have ‘very big future’ as grandson of cricket great prepares to make Wales debut against Georgia
Wales boss Wayne Pivac has described James Botham as "a player with a very big future" after selecting him for his Test debut.
Botham-grandson of England cricket great Sir Ian Botham-will makes his Wales bow in tomorrow's Autumn Nations Cup clash against Georgia.
The 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker was officially called up to Wales' Nations Cup squad on Monday and he has played just 13 professional games.
But Cardiff-born Both am, whose father Liam played rugby union and rugby league for a number of clubs, is among three newcomers selected to face Georgia in Llanelli alongside S car lets backs Johnny Williams and Kieran Hardy.
Wales coaching staff had already identified Both am asap layer of possible 2023 World Cup potential, but his chance has come far sooner than expected.
"We had a good look at James earlier in the campaign," Pivac said. "He has impressed, he has done very well. In( flankers) Ross Moriarty and Josh Navidi, we've had a couple of guys who have not been able to partake so far, so James has been in and around the group. He is a player with a very big future, we believe.
"In training, he is a very balanced rugby player. He's got very good hands and movement with the ball, so he is a good attacking threat as well as a very good defensive player. He is good over the ball, he's strong and his technique is sound.
"He's a confident young man without being over-confident. I've been very impressed with just the conversations we have been having, both about rugby and of f-field situations - just learning more about the young man. There is a lot to like about him."
Pivac has stuck with a pre - planned selection approach to the Georgia fixture, despite a run of six-successive defeats.
He has made 13 changes from the side beaten 32-9 by Ireland in last week's Nations Cup opener, with only fullback Li am Williams and flanker Justin Tipuric, who captains the team, remaining. Wales team: LWilliams; JMcnicho ll, N Tompkins, J Williams, L Rees-zammit; C Sheedy,K Hardy;W Jones, E Dee, S Lee, J Ball, S Davies, J Both am, J Tip uric( ca pt ), A Wainwright. Replacements: S Parry, N Smith, L Brown, C Hill, J Davies, R Webb, I Lloyd, J Holmes.