Taine Basham tipped by Ellis Jenkins to shine during Wales’ Six Nations campaign

Taine Basham has been tipped as a potential breakout star of this season’s Guinness Six Nations – and his Wales team-mate Ellis Jenkins can understand why.

Flanker Basham, 22, has revelled on the international rugby stage since making a two-try Test debut against Canada just seven months ago.

He was a mainstay of Wales’ Autumn Nations Series campaign, starting all four games and excelling in appointments with southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

Wales might have lost injured back-row stars Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi for the whole Six Nations, but in Basham and back-row colleague Jenkins they possess two players enjoying outstanding form.

Basham will run out for a Six Nations debut when Wales tackle Ireland on Saturday, and while Jenkins wins his 15th cap, it will be a first start in the tournament.

“Taine is someone who stepped in to cover injuries and has taken to international rugby like a duck to water,” Jenkins said.

“He was fantastic in the autumn and has that youthful exuberance. He takes everything in his stride and just enjoys it.

Taine is not fussed by who he is playing against- Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins

“Taine is not fussed by who he is playing against. He goes in to try and run over anyone that he can. I quite admire that!

“I like him. He doesn’t think too much about anything, to be honest.

“He is very laidback and almost naive to the pressure, which is a good thing. He is not fazed by anything, he gets on with it and gets stuck in.

“He doesn’t care who he is up against. He has one thing in his mind, and that is to dominate them.”

Wales have not beaten Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium since 2012, and even though they are reigning Six Nations champions, most