What is it?
Wales take on Georgia at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli in both sides’ second match of the newly formed Autumn Nations Cup.
When is it?
Saturday, November 21.
What time is kick-off?
The match will start at 5.15pm.
What TV channel is it on?
Amazon Prime, who are the lead broadcasters of the tournament, and S4C.
What is the team news?
James Botham – grandson of England cricket great Sir Ian Botham – will makes his Wales debut in Saturday’s clash.
The 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker was called up to Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup squad on Monday and he has played just 13 professional games.
But Cardiff-born Botham, whose father Liam played rugby union and rugby league for a number of clubs, is among three newcomers selected to face Georgia alongside Scarlets backs Johnny Williams and Kieran Hardy.
Wales coaching staff had already identified Botham as a player of possible 2023 World Cup potential, but his chance has come far sooner than expected.
And he is the latest international rugby player off the production line at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, with Botham’s fellow former pupils including former England captain Will Carling, World Cup-winning England centre Will Greenwood and current Wales prop Tomas Francis.
Former London Irish and Newcastle centre Williams, meanwhile, was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year and underwent chemotherapy before returning to professional rugby 10 months ago.
He represented England and scored a try in a non-cap game against the Barbarians in 2019, but qualifies for Wales through his father, who hails from Rhyl.
Wales starting XV: Liam Williams, Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, James Botham, Justin Tipuric (captain), Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.
What have we said about the teams?
Kate Rowan examines Wales’ plight, one which is not unlike the situation faced by Man Utd and Arsenal. How does the new man in the top job follow such a successful coach?
What are the odds?
- Wales win – 1/25
- Georgia win – 40/1
- Draw – 70/1
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What’s our prediction?
Wales will surely end their six-match losing streak they select, no matter which side they select, against a courageous but ultimately inferior Georgia side.
But if Wales name an inexperienced side as expected, then it might not be the rout that many expect. Georgia will be desperate to at least register some points, too, after being nilled by England last weekend.
Wales 33 Georgia 9
Read more: Autumn Nations Cup 2020 fixtures
Source: The Telegraph Travels
