Is James Botham the answer for Wales’ blindside flanker issues?

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports

Even though Welsh rugby has endured some very dark days, many players are currently showing promising signs for the future.

An example of one of these athletes is James Botham, grandson of the famous cricketer Sir Ian Botham.

However, the young Welshman is paving his own path in the sporting world and is an up-and-coming player for his country on the international stage.

His recent performance against Australia, where he was a shining light in a poor Welsh display, has sparked discussions about whether the Cardiff back-rower is the solution for Wales at the blindside flanker position.

An Issue at Blindside

Wales has been known for producing an abundance of quality openside flankers, including Jac Morgan, Sam Warburton, and Justin Tipuric, all world-class talents.

However, when it comes to the blindside, it is often an area where Wales has lacked depth. The blindside flanker, also known as the ‘six’, is a crucial position in today’s modern game.

They provide physicality in defence and are key ball carriers on the attacking side.

Dan Lydiate, a formidable force on the pitch, held down the position during his long international career.

Since Lydiate departed from the international scene, Wales has struggled to find a replacement. Coaches have tried many approaches, whether playing two opensides or having a second-row convert to the position.

Over the past year or so, Warren Gatland has opted to play Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell and Morgan when both were available.

The New Zealander made it clear, heading into the autumn, that he wants to play with a more traditional six instead of two opensides.

Both Morgan and Reffell bring some qualities of a blindside flanker to the table. Yet, it is obvious Gatland disagrees. He has many promising blindsides, but Botham laid down a solid marker last weekend.

James Botham

Although he comes from a great sporting background, Botham has made quite a name for himself in rugby.

Coming up through the Cardiff Academy, the young Welshman’s promise was evident from an early age.

He represented Wales at both the under-18 and under-20 levels. Following in the footsteps of rugby legends such as Will Greenwood, Botham attended Sedbergh School would have helped him build a solid foundation to flourish throughout his career.

The experienced back-rower has also shown interest in rugby sevens, representing his country in the format, which demonstrates his versatile skill set.

This versatility causes problems for opponents and makes him a valuable asset.

Cardiff gave Botham his professional debut in 2019 against Connacht. Since then, the flanker has established himself as a first-team regular for his club.

This is an impressive feat given the intense competition in Cardiff’s back row, with the likes of Mackenzie Martin, Thomas Young, and Alex Mann all vying for a starting spot.

In terms of performances on the international stage since his debut in 2020, Botham has delivered some solid showings but has yet to be given a consistent chance to shine.

He embodies everything one looks for in a blindside flanker: exceptional work rate, dynamic ball-carrying ability, and rock-solid defence.

Botham is a fantastic talent with a very high ceiling, and it will be interesting to see how his career unfolds.

Competition

Botham is one of several options Wales could explore at blindside flanker.

One name that comes to mind is Taine Plumtree, a Scarlets player who started the first autumn test against Fiji but was ultimately dropped in favour of Botham.

However, Plumtree has been playing well in West Wales, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses through the season.

Another option is Taine Basham, the Dragons player who was unfortunate not to get selected for the autumn squad.

Basham brings a lot of physicality and aggression to the game. It will be interesting to see if he gets another opportunity in the famous red jersey.

Finally, Christ Tshiunza must be a future consideration for the position.

The Chiefs player has proven himself to be a consistent performer for Exeter. Although still developing internationally, Tshiunza has the potential to become a dominant force in the coming years.

It remains to be seen who will become Wales’ leading blindside player.

If Botham consistently delivers phenomenal performances, he could become the clear choice for the position.

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