Tonight’s rugby news as Wales star’s wedding plans disrupted by ‘shock’ Gatland call

Here are the headlines from the rugby news for Friday, July 5.

Star’s wedding plans interrupted by call to Gatland

Wales forward James Botham said it was a “shock to the system” to be called up to Warren Gatland’s squad ahead of the tour of Australia.

The flanker was not initially selected for the squad but was called up five days before the game against South Africa at Twickenham to start the full 80 minutes. He has been named among the substitutes for the first clash against the Wallabies on Saturday and is set to earn his 12th international cap.

It’s been a busy few weeks for Botham, who is preparing to marry his fiancée Izzy Webb on August 3. The star admitted it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind, but after seeing his Six Nations cut short by injury, he is now determined to make his mark during his time in Australia.

REGISTER: Get the exclusive new Inside Welsh Rugby newsletter for a comprehensive look at what’s really happening around all the big issues. This special offer will give you full access for the whole year for just £10 instead of £40.

“It was a shock to the system,” he told Rugby.com Australia of his Gatland call-up. “I’m getting married on August 3 and I don’t come back until 11 days before. I’ve done the tastings, the fittings and then, boom, I’m on tour with a week’s notice.”

Botham added that he was unsure whether he would be able to return to the Wales squad after injuring his knee in the narrow Six Nations defeat to Scotland, a match in which he scored his side’s first try.

“The hardest part, and there were a lot of ups and downs, was not playing for two years and then getting that opportunity in the Six Nations and within the first 10 minutes hurting my knee again,” he said. “But I went into that game knowing it wasn’t quite right, so when it happened I thought, ‘Here we go again’. I wondered if I would ever get another chance.”

“When the initial team was announced I wasn’t part of it so I thought, ‘this is typical’ but then as things went on I was back, but that’s professional sport.”

Wales ace heads to England

Wales Women’s vice-captain Alex Callender has signed for Harlequins ahead of the new Premiership season.

The flanker, arguably the best player in the current Wales squad, was left without a club after the demise of Worcester Warriors Women last autumn, becoming captain of Brython Thunder in this year’s Celtic Challenge.

However, the 23-year-old will now continue her career in England, joining international team-mates Carys Phillips, Abbie Fleming and Lisa Neumann at The Stoop.

REGISTER: Get the exclusive new Inside Welsh Rugby newsletter for a comprehensive look at what’s really happening around all the big issues. This special offer will give you full access for the whole year for just £10 instead of £40.

Callender impressed in the recent Women’s Six Nations, despite Wales’ wooden spoon end to the season, as she finished the tournament with more carries (70) and tackles (74) than any other player.

She joins Quins as part of a new quartet of international forwards, with Spain captain Laura ‘Bimba’ Delgado, Sweden hooker Maja Meuller and Canadian flanker Sara Svoboda also signing for the club.

Harlequins forwards coach Steve Halsey said: “We are really pleased to have signed these four experienced internationals ahead of the 24/25 season. Having worked with them or spoken to them during their recruitment, I am looking forward to seeing what they will bring to the team, not only as quality players but more importantly as good people who will help this team progress this season.”

All Blacks wary of ‘swaggy’ Earl

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

Ardie Savea sees a kindred spirit in Ben Earl as he puts New Zealand on alert for an attacking assault from England in Dunedin on Saturday.

Savea and Earl were the standout No. 8s at last fall’s World Cup and will face off for the first time in the series opener at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The two rival third-rows are similar in size and share similar strengths with their explosive carries, athleticism and footwork, which are essential to their teams’ offensive play.

Earl even finished the opening match of the tour against Japan at centre and Savea, the reigning world player of the year, impressed for a 26-year-old who was a peripheral player for England less than a year ago.

“I am a big fan of Ben,” said Savea, who also described Maro Itoje as a “pillar” of the tourists’ team. “He plays the same way as me. He is quite dynamic with the ball, runs fast and has good feet. He is someone we have to neutralize, but it will be very difficult.”

New Zealand have won 33 of their 43 meetings with England, but Savea’s record is less clear: one win, one loss and one draw. The 19-7 defeat in the 2019 World Cup semi-final was the most painful of those experiences, but the 25-25 draw at Twickenham when they last met 20 months ago was also instructive.

“England will be direct and strong from set pieces and in assists. In the past they have had success beating us. If we don’t do the same it will be a long day for us,” Savea said. “I haven’t really had a good track record against England – the last time I played them we drew. They have always been great battles against England and I’m sure this one will be just as good.”

The first of two Tests against England will be New Zealand’s first outing since losing to South Africa in the World Cup final in November. It will also be Scott Robertson’s baptism of fire as head coach, with Scott Barrett the new captain.

Asked what to expect from the All Blacks, Savea said: “Simple things done well. I expect the boys to look after each other and be very considerate.”

Scotland star surprised by captaincy appointment

By PA Sport staff

Stafford McDowall has revealed his shock when it was announced he would co-captain Scotland for the first time in their summer tour opener against Canada on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Glasgow Warriors centre has been tapped by Gregor Townsend to lead the team alongside Edinburgh flanker Luke Crosbie for the match at TD Place in Ottawa, where five players will make their debuts with five uncapped players on the bench. It will be just the third Scotland appearance for McDowall, who won his first cap in a World Cup warm-up match against Italy in 2023 before making his Six Nations debut against Ireland in Dublin earlier this year.

He said: “Gregor told me when we got to camp last week, he told me and Luke that we would be co-captains, so it was a bit of a shock. I was a bit overwhelmed and I immediately rang my dad to say he was coming to the game on Saturday. So I think he’s pretty excited about it as well.

“He always planned on coming to a game and as soon as he found out I was co-captain he said, ‘OK, that’s the one, I’ll be there for that one.’ It’s also a special day for my family. My dad has obviously been such a big part of my career so I’m happy to share this day with him as well.”

McDowall believes his status at the Warriors will help him cope with the pressures of leading his country. He said: “I think being part of the leadership group in Glasgow has been huge for my development because it has given me the confidence to express my ideas. The leadership group is so open that everyone can share their ideas and everyone contributes in their own way.

“I don’t think it changes much in terms of what you want to get out of the Tour, first and foremost it’s your performance. Obviously I don’t have a lot of caps myself, but I’m probably one of the oldest and most experienced pros on this team.

“If I can lead by example by playing my own game and playing my own game well, then that’s probably the best way to do it. I think everyone is really excited to be playing for Scotland. Obviously we’ve got a lot of new caps in the same game and they’re all really happy to do their best here.”