Basham faces major call over future plans
WALES back-rower Taine Basham is poised to decide his future before the end of the month.
The 24-year-old’s Dragons contract expires at the end of the season and he is being pursued by the Scarlets along with a handful of English clubs.
It is understood the Scarlets have made recruiting Basham and a tighthead prop their main priorities in the transfer market.
Saracens were one of a handful of English clubs interested in acquiring his services, but if Basham left Wales he would make himself ineligible for the national side under the 25-cap rule.
But despite interest from elsewhere, the Dragons are working hard to retain the talented backrower.
Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright and Rio Dyer have already turned down big-money moves to England to remain at Rodney Parade. The Dragons hope Basham follows suit as head coach Dai Flanagan puts together a squad he believes can be competitive next season.
Playing budgets are dropping to as low as £4.5 million next season, but the Scarlets are hopeful of strengthening their pack and want Basham to be at the forefront of a major rebuild in West Wales. The Scarlets are to add Scotland loosehead Alec Hepburn to their squad next season, while Australian lock Max Douglas, who plays for Yokohama Canon Eagles, is also expected to join.
The Scarlets have stalled on signing Australian tighthead Archer Holz from the Waratahs due to injury concerns, but the deal is not dead in the water with the 24-year-old expected to return from injury in two weeks’ time.
If Holz doesn’t prove his fitness, Dwayne Peel’s side are expected to go in search of another tighthead.
The West Walians have also been linked with a move for Exeter Chiefs lock Jack Dunne. His contract runs out at the end of the current campaign.
Meanwhile, Jack Dixon has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect.
The 29-year-old Dragons centre made 172 appearances for the Rodney Parade outfit across 13 campaigns.
Dixon progressed through the academy system and made his debut for the club in October 2011 as a 16-year-old. He came off the bench in the LV= Cup win at Wasps, becoming the youngest player to make a Welsh regional appearance in the process.
Although never capped by Wales, he was part of Warren Gatland’s pre-World Cup training camp in 2015.
His last outing for the region came in November against
Leinster and he will now look for opportunities outside of rugby.
Dixon said: “Rugby and the Dragons has been a huge part of my life since I was 16 years old, but I feel it’s the right time for me to step away from the professional game, move on and start the next chapter of my life.
“A massive thank you to all the players, coaches, medical staff, backroom staff and kitmen I have met and worked with over the years. You have all made it a very enjoyable experience.
“To our dedicated and fantastic fans, a huge thank you for your unwavering and passionate backing. Playing at Rodney Parade was always incredibly special to me. I’ll see you all on the terraces soon.
“The biggest thank you goes to my wife, Lauren, and mam and dad. Your support and commitment to watch me play over the years has been incredible.
“I look back at my time with great pride as I can say, hand on heart, I gave 100 per cent every time I stepped over the white line.
“I will always be a Dragon and support the club and I wish the team all the very best of luck for the future.”
Head coach Dai Flanagan said: “You cannot overstate Jack’s contribution to this club, and I have huge admiration for what he has achieved.”