Wales call-up James Botham to training squad

Wales have called-up Cardiff versatile loose-forward James Botham to the 38-man training squad for the upcoming summer fixtures.

Botham will now join the likes of his club team-mates Corey Domachowski, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Mackenzie Martin, Ellis Bevan, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Jacob Beetham and Cam Winnett in the Wales squad.

Grandson of all-round cricketer Ian Botham, the 26-year-old joined the Cardiff academy in 2016 and made his debut for the club in the 2018/19 season during the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

He signed his first professional contract with Cardiff in March 2019 and had represented Wales 7s and Wales Under 20 sides in the past.

Botham made his Test debut for Wales against Georgia in November 2020 and has 10 Test caps to his name.

Wales will be locking horns with South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 22nd June before they head to Australia for a two-Test series against the Wallabies and a fixture against Queensland Reds.

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).