Steve Tandy will name his Wales squad for the second instalment of the Nations Championship in the coming days, with a handful of players capable of challenging the established order. The back row is one area where Wales have strength in depth, but Taine Basham has made an undeniable case for inclusion and should be selected.
Basham back to his best
Basham won the last of his 17 Wales caps against England in 2024, but has been outstanding for Cardiff over the past year. It is easy to forget the excitement he generated in 2021, when he emerged as one of Welsh rugby's brightest prospects during autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. He further enhanced his reputation by winning the player-of-the-match award in Wales's dramatic 29-28 victory over Australia.
Former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman even compared Basham to Wales great Justin Tipuric back in 2021. "His [Taine Basham's] footwork is exceptional, as good as any back. He has a boxer's footwork. We have seen him make people look silly in training," Jackman told The42 rugby podcast at the time. "He can beat people for fun. He's very quick and very elusive, with good offloading skills. His skill-set is pretty unique. Not many back rowers have that. He is very much like Justin Tipuric to my mind. He has similar traits. He has that bit of magic that makes you go 'Wow, that is brilliant'."
Five years on, his form for Cardiff suggests Basham deserves another opportunity to show what he can offer Wales. The 26-year-old's talent has never been in question, but Basham lost his way for a period, with errors and ill-discipline undermining his considerable ability. His move from the Dragons to Cardiff in the summer of 2025 has breathed new life into his career. He has excelled at No 8, consistently featuring among the leading performers for tackles made, carries and turnovers won. Just as significantly, his discipline has improved markedly.
Basham also has a knack for making things happen when it matters. That was evident on Saturday night in Dublin. Although Cardiff suffered a comfortable defeat, Basham stood out against a Leinster side packed with British & Irish Lions, matching the hosts' leading players for impact.
Aaron Wainwright and Jac Morgan look certain to start against Japan if fit, but Basham deserves a place in Tandy's squad. His power and directness as a carrier offer Wales a point of difference, while his recent form suggests he is ready to make an impact at international level once again. Few players in Wales possess Basham's dynamism and explosive power, and with the national side short of ball-carriers, he has to be included.
Page offers X-factor
Scarlets wing Macs Page is another player who has made a strong impression this season. It has been a turbulent journey for Page since earning his first Wales call-up for the tour of Japan in the summer of 2025. He lost his place in the Scarlets side for a spell last season but has responded impressively, producing a series of outstanding performances in the early weeks of the current campaign.
The 21-year-old scored a sensational individual try in the defeat by the Dragons at Rodney Parade a fortnight ago, burning two defenders for pace before chipping over the defence, regathering and finishing superbly. In the victory over Benetton, Page produced another moment of brilliance to haul the Scarlets back into the contest. He had the awareness to dink the ball over the onrushing defence before collecting it and delivering a superb long pass to Ellis Mee, who finished in the corner.
Wales have plenty of wingers who offer reliability and consistency, but few possess the X-factor to turn a game on its head in the way Page can. He has the ability to be a genuine match-winner who has been compared to the legendary Shane Williams. His defensive work and kicking game have also improved significantly in recent months. While his pace and footballing ability attract plenty of attention, Page is also a powerful, explosive carrier who can trouble defences in a variety of ways.
Page may not be ready to start for Wales this autumn, but he has done enough to earn a place in Tandy's squad. His raw talent and match-winning ability give him a higher ceiling than many of his rivals, and Wales should be looking to develop a player with the potential to make a real difference at international level rather than going with the safe option.
Dee's try-scoring form
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee is another player making a strong case for a Wales recall. It might seem an unusual argument to make for a player with 56 caps, but Dee has not represented his country since the 68-14 defeat by England in March 2025. A succession of injuries restricted him to a peripheral role for much of the 2025-26 season, but he has made an emphatic return this campaign, scoring five tries in the Dragons' opening three matches.
With Dewi Lake virtually certain to be selected and Ryan Elias also expected to make the squad, there is a case for Tandy to look to the future and give Cardiff's Evan Lloyd an opportunity. But Dee's form has been impossible to ignore. Five tries in three rounds of the United Rugby Championship underline his impact, and on current form, he will be a difficult player for Tandy to leave out.
The possible surprise
If Steve Tandy is to spring a surprise with his squad selection, Bristol Bears centre James Williams could be an outside contender. There is a strong argument for Wales ditching the second playmaker at No 12 in favour of a more powerful ball-carrier such as the Scarlets' Eddie James. But even if Tandy favours a more direct approach at inside centre, attack coach Matt Sherratt is likely to want a footballing option in the squad.
With Ben Thomas injured and Joe Hawkins struggling for form, Williams could come into contention for a maiden Wales call-up. The 29-year-old is central to Bristol's midfield, with director of rugby Pat Lam having previously compared him to Manchester United great Roy Keane in the way he glues the side together. A composed footballer who can also cover fly half, Williams offers versatility and a reliable goal-kicking option. He has impressed for Bristol this season and, while he may not be as compelling a selection as the other players discussed here, his performances should at least have put him in the conversation.
