Taine Basham to start for Wales against New Zealand as Aaron Wainwright is ruled out

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made four starting changes ahead of the Nations Championship match against New Zealand on Saturday. Number eight Taine Basham comes into the side for his first international start since 2022, replacing the injured Aaron Wainwright. Additional changes see James Botham replace Alex Mann in the back row, Gabriel Hamer-Webb start on the wing in place of Josh Adams, and lock Adam Beard come in for Ben Carter. Meanwhile, prop Tomas Francis has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign by injury, with Keiron Assiratti called into the squad.