'I want the Wales jersey back and I want to be different' (original) (raw)

Dragons back-row Taine Basham says he wants the Wales seven jersey back - two years after his last start in Test rugby.

Basham last started for Wales in the 2022 Six Nations clash with England - having to make do with seven bench appearances in the 30 Welsh Tests since then.

However, after putting in a player-of-the-match performance against the Sharks in his first start of the season in front of Wales coach Warren Gatland, the 25-year-old made no bones about what he's targeting - as he stated outright that he wants the seven jersey back.

"I want the Welsh seven jersey, or just a Welsh jersey, back on my back again," said Basham. "This is just a stepping stone for that. Performing for the Dragons is a massive focus for me at the moment."

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Basham, who had worked his way back into the Wales squad last year under Gatland to feature in the World Cup in France, has made just one appearance for his country in 2024 - a cameo off the bench against England at Twickenham.

However, he was overlooked for the summer tour of Australia - even after Ospreys openside Jac Morgan was ruled out through injury. World Cup co-captain Morgan is just one of the top-quality flankers Basham is up against, with Leicester's Tommy Reffell providing stiff competition.

However, ahead of autumn Tests against Fiji, Australia and South Africa in November, Basham believes he can offer something different to the other Welsh opensides.

"I just want to go out there and put my own stamp on things," he added. " I want to be different to any other seven but know I have things to work on."

His own start to the season was delayed because he suffered tendonitis issues, which Basham admitted was "frustrating", but he's insistent he's over that as he chases a Wales recall.

"It was up there with one of the hardest pre-seasons I have done and it's unfortunate I was picking up injuries," he said. "I am glad to feel 100% now and hopefully get firing into these next few games."

Performances like his try-scoring return to the starting side against the Sharks on Saturday won't do his Test ambitions any harm. It was a display deserving of a win, with Dai Flanagan's side coming agonisingly close to a first win over South African opposition since 2020.

Unfortunately, a late try robbed them of a second win from their opening three games - having beaten the Ospreys in the first game - but Basham believes the performance was still indicative of the improvements made by the Rodney Parade side.

"Sides come here and expect a tough fight and we pride ourselves on that," he said.

"It is a different Dragons now."

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