Cricket great Ian Botham cheering on Wales over England

When you speak about English sporting legends the name Ian Botham is one always at the top of the list. 

Yet the man who had an Ashes series named after him following his heroic displays in the 1981 Ashes will be cheering on Wales this weekend as England head to the Principality Stadium.

Grandson James is part of the Wales Six Nations squad after earning his first cap in the Autumn Nations Cup against Georgia last November, but there will be no divided loyalties in the Botham household ahead of the game in Cardiff.

This is despite this being the same Botham who cheered England and his good friend Sir Bill Beaumont to Grand Slam success in 1980. But more than 40 years down the line, the cricketing great will favour the red jersey over the white.

Botham allegiance is firmly with Wales

“You don’t have to ask me,” Botham said when speaking to BBC Sport. “I’m actually very happy to pull on that red shirt when they play England because obviously blood is thicker than water.

“I am a proud Englishman, but I go UK for that weekend. It is a UK match. I’m supporting Wales, of course I am.

“What grandfather wouldn’t? That’s the question I would put to people. And more importantly, I think England can be taken. I think Wales can take them at this moment in time because England don’t look like a happy camp to me, looking from the outside in.”

Although it is a possibility James won’t be in the 23 man squad at the weekend, that won’t affect where Botham’s allegiance lies.

“I don’t know what they’re thinking, but I don’t think he’s done any harm to himself and I would suggest he’ll be pretty pleased with where he is at the moment,” added Botham.

“So whatever happens I want Jimbo to be part of a winning team, whether he’s on the field, on the bench or in the grandstand.”

James Botham, grandson of famous cricketer @BeefyBotham, scores his first try for Wales at the #Sydney7s pic.twitter.com/zCCtQkaX1L

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 5, 2017

James’ rise has been nothing short of sensational, especially given that he only turns 23 this week and has 20 professional games under his belt for Cardiff. His father, Liam, discussed his son’s passion for Welsh rugby at an early age.

“He had the Welsh feathers, the rugby ball, so there’s never, ever been any doubt about where his heart was, he was always Welsh through and through,” said Liam.

“I’m just so proud of what he’s done, he’s a father’s dream. You can see him blossoming just being in that Welsh camp and there is huge potential for him going forward.”

James’ desire to play from Wales was that strong, he was willing to resist offers from England and travel to Cardiff when his family moved back to the north of England.

The flanker made countless journeys to play and train with the Cardiff Blues academy and play for Wales U18s and U20s. His grandfather Ian spoke of his grandson’s commitment.

“I always remember Jimbo when he was old enough to think for himself, he actually said straight away ‘I’m not playing for England, I want to play for Wales’,” said Ian.

“I said: ‘Hang on mate, you’re jumping the gun a bit there’.

“He said: ‘No, if I get a chance, I’m going to play for Wales’ and he used to travel so far and I don’t know if people in Wales realise this.

“He would go from Sedbergh School up in Cumbria, on the border (with Scotland), and come all the way down for academy sessions and then travel back.

“It’s about a 500-mile round trip and he did that on many occasions – that’s how determined he was.

“He resisted all pressure to stay and play for England and I think he made a magnificent choice. It shows you his commitment.

“He set his heart on Wales for his playing career, he loves Cardiff, loves the team and atmosphere and is doing what he wants to do.”

The Botham sporting line

All three Bothams have spent time playing sports throughout their lifetime with Liam playing both codes of rugby and cricket, Ian played cricket, football and one game of rugby union, while James played cricket but gave up to pursue rugby union.

“I’ve followed it as any granddad would, you try and protect your children and your grandchildren from it to a degree,” said Ian.

“I saw one comment on an article talking about Jimbo which said ‘what do you have to do to play for Wales then, spend a few weeks here on holiday is it and you’re Welsh?’.

“This other guy immediately wrote back and blew him out of the water by pointing out Jimbo was born in Cardiff and played from the Wales Under-18s all the way through. I thought that was great.

“Personally it’s like water off a duck’s back. I really couldn’t care less, but it’s tougher for the younger ones coming through.

“I was lucky enough to have a great career, but I also have had the same buzz watching Liam and now Jimbo play.”

Liam added: “For Jimbo some people will always say he’s only there because of who he is.

“We’ve all had that so it doesn’t matter, obviously since dad, anybody in the family, it doesn’t matter what they do, it doesn’t have to be to do with sport it can be anything, any factor of life.

“With the generation gap it is probably a little bit easier for Jimbo in that respect and he has handled it very well. He is his own man. Jimbo or James Botham. He’s not a Liam Botham or an Ian Botham.”