Cricket legend Ian Botham's grandson earns first international rugby call-up

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Monday, 16 November 2020 at 19:48

bySteven Smith

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Wales have called Johnny McNicholl and James Botham into their squad for the Autumn Nations Cup.

Botham is the grandson of former England cricketer Lord Botham and son of ex-Cardiff and Newcastle wing Liam.

The 22-year-old back-rower has played for Wales Under-18s, Under-20s and Sevens and has been in impressive form for his region.

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Wales have called up Cardiff Blues back-rower James Botham and Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl to the squad for the rest of the Autumn Nations Cup. More: bbc.in/32LA5mU

7:45 PM · Nov 16, 2020

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Botham was set to play for Cardiff Blues against Benetton in the Pro14 on Monday but pulled out to join Wales

Meanwhile, McNicholl, who has been capped four times by Wales, made his debut in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and has returned from injury to be available for selection.

LIST | 6 Rugby Players Who Have Famous Family Members

Some of these rugby stars even share the same last name, but most of us would have never guessed that they were related to each other.

1. Stuart Hogg (George Best): In 2012, following his Scotland debut, he discovered he was a distant relative of goalscoring football star Best. A close relative of the Manchester United legend recognised the link after seeing Hogg play on television

skysports rugby stuart hogg scotland 3884608

2. Thom Evans (Chris Evans): The former Scotland international is a cousin of the famous radio disc jockey, who also presented Top Gear very briefly.

3. Ben Cohen (George Cohen): In a trophy-less career as a one club footballer with Fulham, George internationally won the 1966 World Cup with England. He has been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame and is the uncle of rugby union World Cup winner, Ben.

4. Mike Tindall (Queen Elizabeth II): The 2003 Rugby World Cup-winner is married to Zara Phillips, the daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, and the eldest granddaughter of the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

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5. James Haskell (Richard & Judy): The famous presenting duos daughtermarried Northampton and England rugby union player James Haskell in 2018.

6. Liam Botham (Ian Botham): Botham initially followed in his father’s footsteps, playing county cricket for Hampshire. He took the wicket of former England captain Mike Gatting on his County Championship début. However, he left the sport in 1997 after just one season to play rugby union for West Hartlepool. He made his début for the England under-21 team the same year, before successive moves to Cardiff, and Newcastle Falcons.