Basham starts for Wales vs New Zealand, Wainwright out

Team officials said Wales number eight Taine Basham will start his first international in four years, replacing the injured Aaron Wainwright, for the Nations Championship match against New Zealand on Saturday.

The squad announcement also detailed a back‑row reshuffle with James Botham starting instead of fellow Cardiff flanker Alex Mann and Jac Morgan completing the trio. Wing Josh Adams, who scored two tries in the 28‑21 win over Japan, was omitted in favour of Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb, who earns only his second cap. Lock Adam Beard replaces Ben Carter as head coach Steve Tandy makes four changes to the starting line‑up.

Sale prop Tomas Francis has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign through injury, and Cardiff tight‑head Keiron Assiratti has been called into the squad. Back‑rower Taine Plumtree and props Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis are listed among the replacements, while Rhys Carre is not included in the match‑day 23.