Taine Basham is poised to make his second international start in three years against New Zealand on Saturday, stepping in for the injured Aaron Wainwright and offering Wales the explosive ball-carrying they have lacked.
The Cardiff forward, 26, has won the last of his 17 Wales caps against England in 2024, but his form for Cardiff over the past year has put him firmly back in the international conversation.
Basham's Return to Form
Basham first announced himself as one of Welsh rugby's brightest prospects during the 2021 autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. He underlined that potential by claiming the player-of-the-match award in Wales' dramatic 29-28 victory over Australia.
His progress subsequently stalled, with too many errors and disciplinary lapses threatening to undermine his talent. But he has fixed this problem, and they are no longer an issue.
His move from the Dragons to Cardiff in the summer of 2025 has proved a turning point. He has made the No 8 jersey his own, regularly featuring among the leading performers for tackles, carries and turnovers. His discipline, too, has improved considerably.
What Basham Brings
One of Wales' biggest shortcomings over the past 12 months, and certainly in last Saturday's victory over Japan, has been a lack of explosive ball-carriers capable of consistently breaking the gainline and making metres after contact.
Basham offers exactly that. He is a powerful, dynamic carrier who can bring a physical edge to Wales' back row and give them a point of difference in attack. Perhaps most importantly, he remains a player capable of producing something out of nothing, with a natural instinct for the big moment.
That ability to inject pace and power into an attack, break tackles and shift momentum is precisely what Wales have been missing.
Back Row Balance
The balance of Wales' back row will be crucial to their chances of competing with New Zealand. Alex Mann's inclusion at blindside flanker has attracted criticism from some supporters, but his performance against Japan saw him make 20 tackles and win three turnovers, more than any other player on either side.
James Botham offers a greater carrying threat than Mann, while Taine Plumtree's athleticism could match New Zealand's mobility and his lineout ability could address an area in which Wales struggled badly against Japan.
Kane James could also be considered for a place on the bench, with the Exeter Chiefs forward an energetic, explosive ball-carrier with an impressive skillset and the potential to make a significant impact in the final quarter.
