Basham boost for Ulster away date

Head Coach Dai Flanagan has urged returning Wales ace Taine Basham to ‘show the world what he can do’ as Dragons make the trip to Belfast to face Ulster Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.35pm).

Basham has been released back for Six Nations camp as the Men of Gwent head to the Kingspan Stadium.

The return of the 24-year-old – who has made 86 appearances for Dragons – is a lift for Flanagan’s men who still have injury issues in the back row.

“It’s great to have Taine back. He needs to play some regular rugby now,” stated Flanagan.

“It's been a stop start season for Taine since he's come back from the World Cup.

“Taine is a young man, and we need to support him, back him and give him the opportunity to show the world what he can do, because you don't get man-of-the-match against New Zealand if you're not very good.

“Taine can do stuff that no one in Wales, as a back row player, can. He can break a line, can offload, he carries, he's powerful. He gets a lot of turnovers with rips,” he added.

“His biggest asset to us needs to be his consistency. That's what we're looking to see this week.

“He’s had a good block with Wales, worked extremely hard with Wales. We're looking forward to seeing him come back, put our jersey on and work extremely hard for our group.”

Flanagan has also revealed a new player is set to join on the short term to feature in the Ulster fixture and aid the back row resources.

“You'll see some names on the team sheet that will excite us going forward and we've been supported by a club to give us an extra body who has come in and been a fantastic asset,” he added.

“Ollie Griffiths and Harrison Keddie are getting closer. Dan Lydiate is back in and around the group more consistently. George Nott is also close and gives up an option at six.

“We’re optimistic about what we can do this weekend with our back five of the scrum.”