Six Nations: Wales took a hit as James Botham missed the first few months of the season to add to Wayne Pivac open-choice dilemma

Cardiff flanker James Botham will be absent for the first few months of the season, preventing him from joining the Welsh autumn squad. After shoulder surgery over the summer, the open side of the nine caps is currently on a truce. Rugby fans can buy Six Nations Tickets from our website at discounted prices.

Cardiff flanker James Botham will be absent for the first few months of the season

He is now 4 weeks post-operative and his goal is to resume operations in November.

Their four-match lineup will be announced about a week ago, But Wales will play their first autumn test against New Zealand on October 30. Botham is therefore effectively excluded from the selection.

This was a blow to coach Wayne Pivac, as he clearly spoke highly of the 23-year-old player.

Last November, he debuted in a test, making him a starter in three National Cup competitions and taking advantage of him at the ages of 7 and 6.

In the Six Nations Championship, Botham came off the bench in three games and then started all three summer internationals in the opening games against Canada and Argentina.

When the All Blacks, Australia, South Africa, and Fiji all came to Cardiff, his injury setbacks increased the question of who will wear the number 7 jersey in Wales this autumn. Experienced Justin Tipuric will miss the entire season due to a shoulder injury.

Botham is therefore effectively excluded from the selection

Another open player, Josh Macloed was also absent due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, as the Achilles tendon rupture prevented him from taking the first cap at the Six Nations, and the Hornets' Thomas Young comes ineligible under the WRU 60 cap rule.

This makes the versatile Josh Navidi a potential leader to fill the void. Cardiff's colleagues are Taine Basham, Jac Morgan, Ellis Jenkins is an option, and Tommy Reffell. And Ollie Griffiths.

Navidi will return to the training ground in two weeks after a break from the post-Lions tour with Arms Park teammate Josh Adams.

Cardiff center Ben Thomas, who made his Wales debut this summer, suffered a groin injury but is set to return in the first round of the new season.

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