Dragons back-rower Taine Basham in line for Wales debut after being named in Wayne Pivac’s first squad

by Michael Wicherek

NEW Wales head coach Wayne Pivac announced his first squad today, naming five uncapped players to face the Barbarians later this month.

Among the players in line to make their Wales debuts is Dragons number 8 Taine Basham, who has been in fine form this season.

Pivac was present at Rodney Parade on Saturday as Basham put in a man-of-the-match performance against Castres in the Challenge Cup.

The 20-year-old ran in three tries against the French side to get their campaign off to the best possible start with a bonus-point win.

Who is Taine Basham?

Basham has come through the age group sides at the Dragons, and was named the region’s Young Player of the Season in 2018-19.

He has only made 21 senior appearances for the Gwent outfit, but has amassed 45 points.

Basham’s first call-up comes off the back of an outstanding performance on the weekend, although Dragons coach Dean Ryan singled out his second-half display as more impressive.

Ryan was keen to emphasise the defensive work Basham got through in the second period, despite touching down for a hat-trick of scores in the first-half.

New Faces

The back-rower, who has represented Wales at under-20 level, is joined in Pivac’s 35-man squad by fellow uncapped Dragon Ashton Hewitt.

The other new boys are Shane Lewis-Hughes and Willis Halaholo of the Cardiff Blues, as well as Johnny McNicholl from the Scarlets.

Another Dragon, Sam Davies, has been recalled to the Wales squad for the first time in two years.

Davies, who left the Ospreys to make the move to Newport, has impressed during the early days of his time with Ryan’s side.

The fly-half, who has played for his country on eight occasions, made 100% of his kicks at goal in front of the onlooking Pivac on Saturday.