English cricket legend Lord Ian Botham has voiced his frustration over fans who repeatedly question why his grandson, James Botham, represents Wales in international rugby union.
Despite Lord Botham's celebrated career as an all-rounder for England, his 28-year-old grandson has earned 24 senior caps for Wales as a flanker.
James was born in Cardiff and currently plays professionally for Cardiff Rugby.
Addressing the persistent queries on the 'Beefy & Beaumont' podcast, Lord Botham clarified the simple reason behind his grandson's national allegiance.
"I tell you why he's playing for Wales, because he is Welsh," said Lord Botham.
The former all-rounder recalled an encounter at an international match against Fiji, where a spectator asked how his grandson qualified for the Welsh squad.
"I looked at this guy and said, 'Well first and foremost, he was born in Cardiff. That's not a bad start'," Lord Botham recounted.
He noted that family members often drove hundreds of miles to support James through the Welsh developmental system.
"I said he came down, he went through the academy… he only ever wanted to play for Wales," said Lord Botham.
Lord Botham added that James is married, lives in Cardiff, and considers himself Welsh in his own mind.
"I wish people… would understand that a bit more. I just don't get it," he said.
James Botham explained on the podcast that his upbringing and early admiration for Welsh sporting figures shaped his choice, despite growing up in northern England from age two.
His father, Liam Botham, played wing for Cardiff RFC in the late 1990s and received an England squad call-up in 2000, though he was never capped at senior level.
"I think just watching Wales play at the time as a kid, I enjoyed playing it, and dad obviously played down here and always spoke so highly of it – and I think his biggest regret was leaving Cardiff," said James Botham.
The flanker acknowledged facing significant public criticism regarding his heritage, recalling a youthful attempt to emphasize his Welsh credentials during an international tournament.
"I came down and my first ever interview, I was U18s and we were in South Africa, and I don't know what happened but I put on the worst Valleys accent ever.
I don't know what it was, it was horrendous," said James Botham.
He noted that the interview remains online, describing the experience as a reaction to the pressure surrounding his identity.
"I've gone from being at school, speaking like I am now to sounding so Welsh it was ridiculous, to then going back to speaking normally afterwards," said James Botham.
Beyond national identity discussions, Lord Botham also commented on modern pre-match routines, criticizing long physical warm-ups used by current athletes as inefficient.
"I watch them, they go running around for about an hour, and I'm thinking that's an hour of running around and you've got to kick off in 10 minutes time," said Lord Botham.
