Wainwright injury brings Basham back into Wales starting side after four years

Taine Basham has been recalled to the Wales starting side for the first time in four years after a calf injury ruled Aaron Wainwright out of the Nations Championship match against New Zealand. BBC Sport Wales reported that head coach Steve Tandy has made four changes to the starting team following the 28-21 victory over Japan, with Basham taking over at number eight.

Watch the highlights:

Wainwright sustained the injury against Japan and has spent the week wearing a protective boot. The Leicester forward is trying to recover in time to face Australia, but his availability for that match remains uncertain. Wales have also lost Sale prop Tomas Francis for the remainder of the campaign through injury, prompting a squad call-up for Cardiff tight-head Keiron Assiratti.

Basham earned his return to the wider Wales squad through his performances for Cardiff. His most recent international appearance was from the bench against England in the 2024 Six Nations, while his previous start came against the same opponents in the 2022 competition. The selection is only his second Test start at number eight. Tandy praised the dedication Basham had shown in working his way back into contention.

The back-row changes also include James Botham replacing fellow Cardiff flanker Alex Mann, with Jac Morgan completing the unit. Among the replacements, Tandy has selected back rower Taine Plumtree and props Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis. Rhys Carre is not included in the match-day squad of 23.

On the wing, Gabriel Hamer-Webb has been chosen ahead of Josh Adams despite Adams scoring twice against Japan. Hamer-Webb made his Wales debut against Scotland in February and recently scored a hat-trick for Leicester against Saracens. The New Zealand selection puts him in line for his second cap. Adams had made only one start for Cardiff before the Japan match, in which he also contributed a turnover.

Adam Beard replaces Ben Carter at lock after playing for Montpellier last weekend. Beard's inclusion comes as Wales seek to improve a line-out that lost six throws on their own ball against Japan. Tandy said elements of the team's execution in that victory fell below expectations and called for greater consistency across the full match.