Two Cardiff Rugby players have been selected in the Wales starting XV to face New Zealand in the Nations Championship at Principality Stadium on Saturday (14 November, 14:10).
Taine Basham and James Botham will both start for Steve Tandy’s side as Wales prepare to take on the All Blacks in their fifth fixture of the competition.
Basham returns to the Wales starting line-up at number eight, making his first appearance for his country since the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. The back-row forward has earned his opportunity following a series of impressive performances for Cardiff.
Botham retains his place in the matchday squad, but moves into the starting lineup having featured off th bench in last weekend’s 28-21 victory over Japan. The 27-year-old will line up alongside Gloucester’s Jac Morgan and Basham in the Wales back row.
There are four changes to the side which defeated Japan, with Adam Beard returning to the second row alongside Dafydd Jenkins. Former Cardiff winger, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, is handed his first start in the Nations Championship, coming into the side on the left wing – in place of Josh Adams.
Among the replacements, Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree are in line to make their first appearances in the competition, while Cardiff tighthead-prop Keiron Assiratti has also been called into the wider Wales squad following an injury to Tomas Francis.
Aaron Wainwright is unavailable for selection due to a minor calf injury.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: “We’re excited for the opportunity we have against New Zealand. It was good to get the win last Saturday, but some elements of our execution weren’t where we wanted. We have to go up another level this weekend and be more ruthless. We have one of the best teams in the world coming. We want to be better and put in an 80-minute performance.”
On Basham’s selection, Tandy added: “I’m delighted that Taine gets an opportunity this weekend. It’s been a while since his last appearance for Wales but he didn’t give up and has put in a lot of dedication and hard work to get back. The way he’s been playing for Cardiff has been great and I’m excited to see him go on Saturday.”
Wales take on New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 14:10. The fixture will be broadcast live on ITV and S4C.
Wales team to face New Zealand
Saturday 14 November, KO 14:10
- Nicky Smith
- Dewi Lake (c)
- Archie Griffin
- Dafydd Jenkins
- Adam Beard
- James Botham
- Jac Morgan
- Taine Basham
- Tomos Williams
- Sam Costelow
- Gabriel Hamer-Webb
- Max Llewellyn
- Eddie James
- Louis Rees-Zammit
- Blair Murray
Replacements
- Ryan Elias
- Gareth Thomas
- Dillon Lewis
- Ben Carter
- Taine Plumtree
- Reuben Morgan-Williams
- Dan Edwards
- Louie Hennessey