The 26-year-old earned a Test recall last week - with his form piquing the interest of some English sides

Recalled Wales back-row Taine Basham is attracting interest from at least two big English clubs.

The 26-year-old has been in fine form for Cardiff at the start of this season, with a series of eye-catching performances for the Blue and Blacks earning him a Test recall. Basham hasn't played for Wales since the 2024 Six Nations, but has been named in Steve Tandy's autumn squad.

However, his efforts in the Cardiff No. 8 jersey have not gone unnoticed over the bridge.

WalesOnline understands Saracens and Bristol Bears are both interested in Basham.

However, with 17 caps to his name, any move to the Gallagher Prem could come at the cost of a future with Wales.

Eight caps short of the 25 required to ply his trade outside of Wales while remaining available for Test selection, Basham would have to be an ever-present in Tandy's squad for the remainder of the season.

Over the next two campaigns, there are just nine Wales Tests.

It isn't just English clubs that are interested, with Basham's former club, Dragons, also believed to be weighing up an offer to try and get him back.

The Men of Gwent lost talismanic No. 8 Aaron Wainwright to Leicester in the summer.

Filo Tiatia's side have signed Terrell Peita from New Zealand, who is set to link up with the Rodney Parade club - having played in Northland's NPC final defeat to Canterbury on the weekend.

But bringing Basham back would be a big statement by the club.

At Cardiff, the Wales back-row - who had largely played openside at the beginning of his career - has switched to No. 8, proving a success in the position given his strengths as a ball-carrier.

"I think here it's massive," he said last week about playing No. 8 at Cardiff. "When Alun Lawrence had game time previously, he would average like 20 carries a game.

"No. 8 finds a lot of ball and the way teams defend now with nine at the scrum, I've got an opportunity just to go where I want and see what we do from there. I think it's always been something I pride myself on, my ball carrying.

"Obviously, you need the other stuff to be playing international rugby, your nuts and bolts need to be perfect as well, but I never really want to lose sight of my ball carrying."

Following his recall last week, Basham said how important joining Cardiff had been to getting his foot back in the door with Wales - with the Blue and Blacks likely to be hopeful of keeping hold of the player.

"Obviously it's not far from the Dragons, but it's a change of scenery, a different place and a different style of rugby," he said. "It was refreshing.

"The support from the staff, coaches, medical staff, S&C and the players has been awesome."

In particular, learning from a legendary No. 8 like Taulupe Faletau has been a big part of his experience so far at the Arms Park.

"It's a bit surreal as we're both Pontypool boys," he explains. "I looked up to him from a young age and now I'm coming in every day training and being around him.

"We do we do extras together. We're Pontypool boys so we relate to that as we know people and we know the area. He's been great for me.

"Competition has always been high in anywhere in Wales, if you think about all the four regions, so it just makes you better as a player."