Wales star Taine Basham could put his international career on hold if he makes a move to PREM Rugby.

WalesOnline reports that Bristol Bears and Saracens are both interested in signing the Cardiff number eight.

However, a move across the border could leave him ineligible to play for Wales under the Welsh Rugby Union’s 25-cap rule.

Basham has been named in Steve Tandy’s squad for the Nations Championship, but he has not played for Wales since the 2024 Six Nations.

The 26-year-old joined Cardiff ahead of the 2025/26 season after starting his professional career with the Dragons.

He made an immediate impact on the international stage, scoring twice off the bench on his Wales debut against Canada in 2021. He then started all four of Wales’ autumn internationals that year.

Basham also represented his country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and was part of the squad for the 2024 Six Nations.

The WRU’s 25-cap rule requires players based outside Wales to have won at least 25 senior international caps to remain eligible for selection.

Basham has 17 caps, leaving him eight short of the requird total.

If he leaves Cardiff next summer, he would have to earn those eight caps before his move. With only nine games remaining, he would need to feature in almost every match to reach the target.

That could prove difficult given the competition for places in Wales’ back row, especially with Basham having been out of the Test team since 2024.

His former club, the Dragons, are also reportedly interested in bringing him back to Newport. That could offer him a route to regular rugby in Wales without putting his international future at risk.

There is an exemption to the 25-cap rule for players who do not receive a fair and reasonable offer from a Welsh club.

In those cases, they can still represent Wales while playing abroad, even if they fall short of the required number of caps.

However, with Cardiff likely to be keen to retain Basham and the Dragons also reportedly interested, he may struggle to qualify for that exemption.

Saracens’ interest could also depend on the future of Alfie Barbeary.

The former Bath forward joined the London club on a one-year deal and is reportedly considering his options ahead of next summer.

French clubs are said to be interested in Barbeary, which could leave Saracens looking for a replacement if he decides to move on.

That uncertainty could influence whether the club steps up its interest in Basham, although Bristol Bears are also reportedly monitoring the Wales international.