1
Three English clubs interested in signing Wales' Taine Basham
By Neil Fissler
Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton Saints are among the clubs interested in signing Wales international back-rower Taine Basham, who is coming into the last six months of his contract with the Dragons.
ADVERTISEMENT
Saints are one of three English clubs who are tracking the 25-year-old, with Premiership big spenders Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks also wanting to lure him across the Severn Bridge next summer.
However, they could face competition from other Welsh regions who are keen on joining the race to sign up Basham, who can play anywhere across the back row but has his eye on the openside flanker spot for Wales in the near future.
The Talywain native has won 17 caps for his country and played his 100th game for his home region in the European Challenge Cup clash with Montpellier last weekend, but Basham would fall short of the 25-cap threshold he would need to match so he could continue to play for Wales if he leaves the country.
He has been one of the few shining lights for a struggling Dragons team this season, scoring five tries in six games and standing out in the matches against Cardiff, the Sharks and Montpellier.
Basham has made no secret his desire to regain his place in the Wales squad, and any decision on his future could be influenced by whether he figures in Warren Gatland’s plans.
“I want the Welsh seven jersey, or just a Welsh jersey, back on my back again. This is just a stepping stone for that. Performing for the Dragons is a massive focus for me at the moment,” he told the BBC in October.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I just want to go out there and put my own stamp on things. I want to be different to any other seven but know I have things to work on.”
Basham faces stiff Six Nations squad competition from Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell and Ospreys’ Jac Morgan, but the likelihood is he would be less likely to consider a move across the border if included by Wales.
Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think!
