Back row dynamo Taine Basham believes Dragons have put down a solid foundation this season as they build for the future.
The tyro from Talywain has enjoyed a sensational season at Rodney Parade in 2019/20 – scoring eight tries in 17 games, including a stunning hat-trick against Castres in the European Challenge Cup.
The 20-year-old has also sprung to prominence on the international stage and was called up for the November fixture against the Barbarians and in February was named in the Six Nations squad.
Basham admits it has been a year of success on a personal level – but he is equally delighted to see the steps forward made by Dragons under Dean Ryan.
And the former Dragons Academy product is also pleased to see the next generation of stars following him into the senior set-up.
“It’s only year one with Dean and we’re developing,” said Basham, speaking before the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We have enjoyed some success, won two out of three festive derbies and have a European quarter-final too.
“The big thing has been able to go to difficult places like Enisei-STM in Russia and win without the international lads. Getting more depth in our squad.
“We’ve built a good base, but know it’s nothing more than that at the moment. We need to keep building.
“It’s great to see the Academy lads I’ve come through the system with getting a chance too,” he added.
“Look back at the Benetton game and the impact Josh Reynolds made. He was fantastic that day.
“Everyone talks about his break and I don’t think he has moved that fast since he raced downstairs for his mum’s cooking," he quipped.
Basham had hoped to get a first Wales cap this summer before the tour was postponed. However, even that is just a sign of how far he has come in such a short time.
“I started the season wanting to get in the Dragons back row and towards the end was gutted not to get a first Wales cap. That is my ultimate goal now,” he said.
“I got called up for the Barbarians game and that probably came as a shock to people.
“I could have been daunting going into the Wales camp, but I obviously knew the Dragons boys and regional players from the derby games.
“I wasn’t nervous, just keen to show what I could so. It was the same when I was called in to the Six Nations squad. It was all about being part of the set-up and learning.”
I wasn’t nervous, just keen to show what I could so. It was the same when I was called in to the Six Nations squad. It was all about being part of the set-up and learning...
