Cardiff win race to sign Wales international from Welsh rivals
Cardiff are on the verge of signing Wales backrower Taine Basham who is set to leave the Dragons at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has spent his entire career at Rodney Parade but this could be his last season in Gwent. Basham is out of contract at the end of the campaign and had attracted interest from Cardiff, Scarlets and a host of English Premiership clubs.
But WalesOnline understands Cardiff have won the race for his signature and Basham is close to becoming the second big signing at the Arms Park ahead of the 2025/26, with Ioan Lloyd also set to join from the Scarlets. Basham has missed out of the last couple of Wales squads and a new environment could be just what the backrower needs.
READ MORE: Today's rugby news as former England star says it was 'always going to be Wales'
READ MORE: Rising Welsh-qualified talent reveals why he's opted for England over Wales
On his day Basham is a fine player with an explosive carrying game, while he is also an extremely physical player. His versatility in being able to cover the entire backrow would also benefit Cardiff and Basham will hope a move to the Arms Park could help him add to his 17 Wales caps.
Cardiff have a strong pool of backrow players but both Dan Thomas and Thomas Young are out of contract at the end of the season. Losing Basham would be a blow for the Dragons but WalesOnline understands they are closing in on the signing of Cardiff's South African outside-half Tinus de Beer, although he has attracted interest from a couple of French clubs.
