The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

Cardiff out to ward off English giants' bid for star

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl is hopeful of keeping hold of Taine Basham following interest in the No. 8 from England.

The 26-year-old has earned a Wales recall following a strong start to the season at the Arms Park. And while that has caught the eye of Steve Tandy, it has also led to attention from the Gallagher Prem.

Saracens and Bristol Bears are believed to have shown interest in the player, while his former club Dragons are also said to be considering an offer.

Given he joined Cardiff for a fresh start and has forced his way back into the Wales squad while in a Blue and Black jersey, it might not take a great deal to convince Basham to stay in the Welsh capital - especially as he has just 17 caps.

However, the ongoing uncertainty in Welsh rugby has slowed down negotiations - but van Zyl remains confident the club can keep hold of Basham.

"First of all, it's no surprise," he said. "He's been playing really well.

"We've all seen that, especially on the attacking side of things with the ball. He's beating defenders for fun.

"So it's no surprise. But there's a decent process we have to go through, especially with going from four teams to three and all that stuff.

"So there's a process to go through and it's probably not really in our right to make offers to any players, so it's probably going to be coming soon.

"Obviously the big thing is to try and retain as many players as we can. That's a priority with us, to retain first and then look to recruit. We'll hopefully move on that soon.

"It's more about getting the green light to go out and actually do it. That's the big one."

Wales star handed debut for new club after injury nightmare

Wales prop Corey Domachowski will finally make his competitive Scarlets debut this weekend after recovering from the injury that has delayed the start of his career in west Wales.

The 30-year-old loosehead joined the Scarlets from Cardiff during the summer but suffered a chest injury in pre-season, leaving him sidelined for the opening weeks of the campaign.

However, Domachowski has now been passed fit and will go straight into the starting XV for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash with the Bulls in Pretoria (3pm).

Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies believes the Wales international's experience and scrummaging ability will be invaluable against the South African side.

"Corey has only just come back from injury, but he's there, really, to do a job for us in the scrum," Davies said.

"It's been great to have him. He's got great energy, and he's a great character to have in the camp.

"I don't think he will be doing much talking on Saturday at altitude, but I know he won't let us down.

"When you come away to places like this, you see the benefit [of players like Domachowski]."

Domachowski is one of six changes to the Scarlets side beaten 52-40 by the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend.

New Zealand second row Tom Allen is also handed his debut after arriving from Hawke's Bay, with the 22-year-old making an immediate impression in training.

"He's been really impressive in the training environment over the last week and a half," Davies said.

"He's a hugely talented player. He's quite quick-twitch for a second row.

"He's powerful and good across the ground and in the air."

The Scarlets are without eight members of Wales' autumn squad, including Sam Costelow, Blair Murray, Joe Hawkins and Ryan Elias, while centre Johnny Williams is also injured.

Gabe McDonald and Isaac Murray-Macgregor make their first URC starts, with experienced scrum-half Gareth Davies returning to the side.

Scarlets: Nicholas; I Jones, Roberts, McDonald, Murray-Macgregor; Leggatt-Jones, G Davies; Domachowski, McKee, H O'Connor, Allen, Groves, Lousi, Macleod (capt), Anderson.

Replacements: Young, S O'Connor, Hawley, Cuckson, Davis, D Blacker, Anscombe, J Davies.

Threadbare Dragons name inexperienced side amid Wales absences

The Dragons have been forced to name an inexperienced side for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre as Wales call-ups and a mounting injury list take their toll.

Filo Tiatia's side are without five players on international duty and have a further 12 on the treatment table ahead of the meeting with the winless Italian outfit at Rodney Parade (5.30pm).

Aneurin Owen, Che Hope, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter and Seb Davies are all away with Wales, while wing Rio Dyer has been ruled out with the hamstring injury that forced his withdrawal from Steve Tandy's squad.

The Dragons have consequently named six players in their matchday 23 who are yet to feature this season, with David Richards starting on the wing and Nick Thomas, Sam Scarfe, Morgan Lloyd, Cai Evans and Joe Westwood among the replacements.

There is also a first start of the campaign for Jordan Morris at loose-head prop, which will be just his second senior start.

The front-row situation has been complicated further by the loss of influential South African tight-head Robert Hunt, who has undergone surgery on an elbow injury suffered against the Ospreys earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined until the New Year.

With Lewis away on Wales duty, Chris Coleman starts at tight-head, with 21-year-old Owain James providing cover from the bench.

Despite the selection headaches, co-captain Angus O'Brien insists the Dragons have enough depth to cope.

"We've developed competition right throughout the squad over the past couple of years," he said.

"We want as many boys in that Wales set-up as possible and it's really exciting to see those names in there because they have worked their socks off.

"For those of us playing at the weekend it's about stepping up, and feel confident we have the ability across the squad to do that."

Tonga internationals Fine Inisi, Fetuli Paea and Anzelo Tuitavuki are available before departing for international duty, while Harri Keddie will make his 150th Dragons appearance.

The Newport side will be desperate to bounce back from last weekend's 31-14 defeat to the Ospreys at St Helen's, having won just one of their opening five URC matches.

Dragons: O'Brien (capt); Richards, Inisi, Paea, Tuitavuki; De Beer, Williams; Morris, Dee, Coleman, Langton-Cryer, Screech, Lewis-Hughes, Minto, Keddie.

Replacements: Coghlan, Martinez, James, Thomas, Scarfe, M Lloyd, Evans, Westwood.

Wales make five changes for Japan rematch

Wales head coach Sean Lynn has made five changes to his starting XV for Saturday's second Test against Japan, with experienced scrum-half Keira Bevan dropping to the bench.

Wales are bidding to secure back-to-back victories for the first time since 2023 after beating the Sakura Fifteen 17-0 in Tokyo last weekend.

Seren Lockwood takes over at scrum-half and partners Lleucu George at half-back, while Courtney Keight comes into midfield alongside Carys Cox after Freya Bell was ruled out with a knee injury.

There are also changes up front, with Gwenllian Pyrs starting at loosehead prop and Gwen Crabb coming into the second row alongside Branwen Metcalfe.

Co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams retain their places in the back row, with Callender switching to No.8 and Bethan Lewis starting at openside flanker.

Lynn says the changes are a reward for the players who helped Wales secure victory in the opening Test.

"We have made the changes to reward the players who finished the job in Tokyo, and they deserve the opportunity to start for their country for our final Test match of 2026," he said.

"The players know our DNA is team first and competition for places drives standards and performances and will only help us improve and get better as a team.

"We are obviously disappointed with the injury to Freya Bell, but she will get the best care and supervision by the WRU staff, and we hope to see her back soon."

Wales will conclude their 11-week international block in Kumagaya, with Lynn demanding an improved performance despite last weekend's victory.

"We found a way in the first Test in Tokyo and the way the players problem-solved during the game was key for all the coaches," he added.

"But we know we have to be much more accurate and produce a consistent 80-minute performance to beat a resilient Japan side that we know will be hurting."

Wales: Neumann; N Metcalfe, Cox, Keight, A Williams; George, Lockwood; Pyrs, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Crabb, K Williams (co-capt), Lewis, Callender (co-capt).

Replacements: Reardon, M Davies, E Jones, Aiono, G Evans, King, Bevan, De Vera.