Jim Botham – grandson of cricket legend Sir Ian – has signed to play for the Cardiff Blues next season.
The 18-year-old has agreed a one-year academy contract with the region and will move to the capital in June.
Botham – known as ‘Jimbo’ – will be following in the footsteps of his father Liam who played for Cardiff between 1997 and 2000 before he moved on to Newcastle and then switched to rugby league.
An openside flanker, Jimbo will have Wales captain Sam Warbuton as a guide and mentor at the Arms Parks after impressing the Blues in three matches for Wales U18s this season.
Currently based in Yorkshire, Botham said: “I have signed an academy contract with the Blues for a year. Hopefully, it will go well for me and I will get it extended. Who knows what the future will hold?
“Ever since I was kid and able to speak and pass a rugby ball, it’s all been about Wales.
“After all, I was born in Cardiff. Newcastle and Sale were keen on me, but Cardiff Blues gave me a chance and I had a trial there.
“I got into the Wales set-up and although it can sometimes take me five hours to get down from Yorkshire, it’s well worth it.
“My father and grandfather are backing me all the way and it’s great having their support. Some people might think it’s too much, but they know when to step off and when not to say anything.”
Botham played for Wales against England at U18 level two weeks ago and was at the centre of a concussion row when he was not allowed to return to the field following an assessment, even though he had been cleared by medical staff.
He also played in the matches against Scotland and Italy, where he was watched by his father and grandfather.
Liam said: “It’s been a huge learning curve for him. He’s very raw. But I have chatted with Richard Hodges, the Cardiff coach, and they are very excited for Jimbo – and I’m excited for him.
“He’s done it the hard way. He’s been doing a lot of travelling from Cumbria down to Wales, and I’ve been really impressed with him.
“He’s very raw and he’s got a huge amount to learn. But I’ve been so impressed with both the Cardiff set-up and the Welsh set-up.
“They really do look after their players. They find the players they want and bring them on. Jimbo is going to get the very best opportunity to become the best possible player he can be.
“He’s very ambitious. He wants to go right to the top and play for Wales. He’s got the ambition and he’s got some ability, too, so we will see how far he can go. But I know that he is in the right place to fulfil that.”
Liam also believes his son can cope with carrying the weighty burden of one of the most famous surnames in sporting history.
“He’s taken it in his stride. I’ve been very pleased with that. There has been quite a bit of media coverage in him and he’s going to that. For him, that’s part of his growing up.
“I had it and although he’s a generation on, there is still the interest there with the Botham name. But he will deal with that. I’ve got no problem with his ability to cope. It will be water off a duck’s back.
“He has all the support from us as a family and all the support in Wales. We are a very close family and my father is hugely proud of his grandson.
“I had a similar decision when I was in Wales and even now dad gives me a jib, saying Jimbo is going to do it in Wales – that’s what you should have done.”
