Jim Botham – grandson of cricketing legend Sir Ian – was at the centre of a concussion row that left him in tears on Wednesday night.
Botham was injured in the first half, playing for Wales U18 v England U18 and went off for a 10-minute head injury assessment by the Wales team medics.
But despite being cleared with a verdict that the back row forward had been winded rather than concussed, Irish referee Peter Martin refused to let the Cardiff Blues player back on the field at St. Helen’s, Swansea.
England went on to win comfortably, 41-9, but the decision came as a massive disappointment to Botham, his father Liam, who was watching, as well as Wales coach Geraint Lewis.
The former Wales and Pontypridd flanker said: “There was a bit of confusion, but there is nothing you can do about referees, unfortunately.
“You have to go with their decision. But the boys are very disappointed with that decision, because medically, Jim was passed fit.
“The medical staff were happy for Jim to carry on, but the referee said no. That’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes and you have to get on with it.”
Botham qualifies for Wales as he was born in Cardiff when Liam was a player with the Arms Park club.
He played in both the previous age group victories, over Scotland and Italy, when Sir Ian – currently in Spain at a charity event – was a spectator.
Jim, who will move to Cardiff this summer to start full-time with the Blues, said: “The referee asked me if I was okay and I said I was fine. I was asked the general questions to make sure I was fine and our medics were happy.
“But the referee then said the test was for a permanent injury and I couldn’t come back on. That was the hardest news I’d taken all day and it just ruined my night.”
Liam said: “It was really disappointing. He gets winded and the referee steps in and decided it was a head knock.
There have to be precautions, but rugby is a contact game. I just feel so sorry for him. He was in tears. It meant so much for him to play against England.
“He came on and made a lot of good tackles and was just starting to get into it. He then gets winded and was not allowed to play on because of the referee’s call.”
Wales trailed only 17-9 at half-time, but England dominated the second-half, with James Grayson, son of former England fly-half Paul Grayson, scoring 21 points.
Lewis, who had guided his team to two victories over the Scots and the Italians in the inaugural U18 series, added: “It ended up being a tough night, but I am sure the boys will use this experience to make sure they work harder to become better players.
“Sometimes international rugby can be harsh. England were very dangerous in broken field and were able to punish our mistakes.”
