DRAGONS flanker Taine Basham is hunting a Wales recall by showing he can be a different type of openside to his rivals.

The 24-year-old from Talywain won the man of the match award in the 33-30 defeat to the Sharks on Saturday thanks to a dynamic display in his first appearance of the season.

Basham, who was troubled by tendonitis in pre-season, scored a try and carried with gusto in the United Rugby Championship clash in Newport.

The back rower will look to back up the display in the upcoming home fixtures against the Lions and Benetton, with Warren Gatland naming his autumn squad after the encounter with the Italians.

The 17-times capped forward, a member of the World Cup and Six Nations squads, was overlooked for Wales’ summer clashes with South Africa and Australia despite the absence of Jac Morgan.

In fact, Basham hasn’t started a Test since facing England in February 2022 and is behind Morgan and Leicester scavenger Tommy Reffell in the pecking order.

DYNAMIC: Taine Basham on the charge for the DragonsDYNAMIC: Taine Basham on the charge for the Dragons (Image: Gareth Everett)

“I want the Wales jersey on again and this is a stepping stone to that. Performing for the Dragons is a massive focus for me,” said Basham, who made a huge impression in the autumn of 2021.

“I want to go out there with freedom and put my stamp on things – I want to be different to any other seven but I also know that I have work-ons.”

Basham is aware that he has a battle for a spot in his club XV before he can contemplate scrapping for the start with Wales.

Harri Keddie impressed in the opening two rounds of the season before missing the Sharks game with a back niggle, with the combative flanker expected to be available for Sunday’s clash with the Lions.

“Harri has been outstanding. We push each other on and are all fighting for the jersey – nothing is given, you have to earn it,” said Basham.

“I was glad to be back fit and get my first 80 after not playing any pre-season games,” he continued.

“My calves were going at 70 minutes! I was glad to blow away the cobwebs for a big period for us.

“The best way is to just chuck yourself in the mix and see how things come off, and I am thankful that I had some very good moments.”

HUNGRY: Taine Basham is ready to make an impact for the DragonsHUNGRY: Taine Basham is ready to make an impact for the Dragons (Image: Geraint Nicholas/Huw Evans Agency)

Basham also felt he could hit the ground running thanks to the summer arrival of a familiar face as head of performance.

“It was a hard pre-season thanks to Ryan Chambers and that was something that we needed,” said the flanker about the former Wales conditioning chief. “I have been to Turkey and Switzerland camps with Ryan and knew it wouldn’t be all fun and games.

“It was right up there with the hardest pre-seasons that I have done and it was unfortunate that I had tendonitis issues but I feel 100 per cent now and ready to fire into these next couple of games.”

Basham knows that he would do his autumn hopes the power of good if he can help the Dragons upset the odds against the Lions and Benetton before they travel to Connacht for the final game of the first URC block.

There have been promising signs in Newport in the opening rounds with a last-gasp win against the Ospreys before they were the victims of a winner from the last play against the Sharks.

“Everyone knows when they are coming to Rodney Parade that they are in for a fight and it’s those moments when we need to stay composed and turn the performances into wins,” said Basham.

“It’s a big period for us with three physical teams coming to us and we went toe-to-toe with the Sharks and now have a very good Lions team and then Benetton.

“There are simple fixes to stay in the moment and making right decisions which will be the difference between winning and losing.”