Basham leads charge for Wales' next generation

In Wales we never seem to have a problem in bringing through young players and right now it appears to be the back row which is the hottest area of the production line.

- SHANE WILLIAMS

To me Taine Basham looks like he has a very bright future ahead and I’m hugely excited by what he could go on to achieve in the game.

It’s remarkable really when you assess the options Wales have at flanker and also at No.8 right now and this isn’t a new situation either – it has been the status quo since the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Basham is the latest name to break through and he must be good if he has a fan in Sam Warburton! In my media work covering the PRO14 I have watched a lot of the Dragons and Basham is someone who always seems to stand out whatever the game situation.

That is impressive because although he is playing in a team which is improving under Dean Ryan, the Dragons are often underdogs in the matches they play. For a 20-year-old to be in that situation and still produce man-of-the-match displays is remarkable. I’m sure it won’t be too long before he is rewarded with a senior Wales cap.

I don’t know Basham personally, but I’ve heard great reports on him from the Dragons set-up. You only have to see him play to realise what he can do, but my understanding is he’s very grounded and works hard at his game. That’s good to hear because the last thing you want is for young players who have the talent to succeed at Test level to get ahead of themselves too early.

Basham is all action and I love that. He’s captained Wales U20 and played Wales Sevens, and he can play across the back row too. That could be a priceless asset moving forwards.