WALES legend Sam Warburton has backed Taine Basham’s World Cup hopes after hailing the talented Dragons back rower’s combination of dynamism and self-belief.

The 23-year-old from Talywain is back in the mix for France 2023 after a year on the international sidelines.

Basham was Wales' player of the 2021 autumn series and impressed in the following Six Nations.

The last of his 11 caps was won in South Africa last summer when called onto the bench late on because of an injury for Taulupe Faletau.

However, Basham suffered a dislocated elbow at Cardiff last October and was overlooked by Warren Gatland for the Six Nations.

The head coach named five back row forwards in his 30-strong squad in 2011 while in both 2015 and 2019 the tally was six from 31.

Gatland has Basham, Dragons teammates Aaron Wainwright and Dan Lydiate, Faletau, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Christ Tshiunza and Taine Plumtree as options for an increased 33-man squad.

Warburton, who was briefly part of Wayne Pivac’s management team, would love to see his former student show what he can do in the August tune-ups against England and South Africa.

“I am a massive fan of Taine,” said the former Wales and Lions captain. “When I first saw him I thought he had that X-factor.

“At the top every back row forward is quick and has passing, tackling lineout and carrying ability but you need that X-factor to set you apart from the others.

“Taine has always displayed that and I’d love to see what he can do after a full World Cup build-up.

“Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell have done really well and it’s almost a shame that there are three such good players as openside that warrant a starting place. You can play together but not all three, sadly.”

Morgan and Reffell are, like Warburton, breakdown experts but Basham is no slouch in that department and also has ball carrying and a bit of a swagger.

South Wales Argus: Former Lions captain Sam WarburtonFormer Lions captain Sam Warburton (Image: Canterbury)

“Taine has a good work ethic and what he also has – and you need it – is a very good level of confidence in his own ability,” said Warburton.

“It’s not arrogance at all and it’s the self-belief that you need to go along with professionalism and the want.

“He is a tough guy who is very good at the breakdown and when you also put his athletic ability and skill set into the mix then there is not a lot holding this guy back from doing whatever he wants.

“Taine is probably one of the most talented players that we have in the squad, so I would love to see him stay injury-free and have a real crack at the World Cup.”

Sam Warburton is a Canterbury ambassador. Sam was speaking as Canterbury and The British & Irish Lions extend their partnership for the 2025 tour of Australia, launching the Origins Schools programme, marking the first official collaboration between The British & Irish Lions, Canterbury, and schools’ rugby.