Another of Welsh rugby's big young talents has been linked with a move to the English Premiership, just a day after Saracens snapped up Cardiff Blues' Rhys Carre.
WalesOnline understands Carre's Wales Under-20 teammate, Dragons back row Taine Basham , is also the subject of interest from Saracens and other Gallagher Premiership sides.
Basham has impressed at age grade level for Wales, scoring a hat-trick in Wales U20's 42-12 defeat over Italy in Six Nations this year, and also with his regional displays.
He first sprang to prominence with an outstanding display in the U20s historic victory over Australia at the World Rugby Championship last year, hitting the headlines with a barnstorming performance that included four turnovers and 17 carries.
He started out at junior level with Talywain RFC and has come through the Dragons age group system, previously playing for Bedwas and Cross Keys in the Principality Premiership.
In January 2018, injuries saw him make his debut for the region against the Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14, and he has now made his way into the regular match-day line-up for the region, starting alongside Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright in Sunday's draw with Southern Kings in South Africa.
The Newport-born Academy player is under contract until 2020, but the interest in him from big clubs over the Severn Bridge highlights the challenges facing the Welsh regions amid financial constraints and a lack of on-field success.
Blues 21-year-old prop Carre turned down the offer of a new deal at the Arms Park in favour of joining two-times European champions Saracens but is still free to play for Wales as the Why Rhys Carre’s sensational move to Saracens WON'T prevent him playing for Wales because he has never been in a senior Wales squad before.
Why Rhys Carre’s sensational move to Saracens WON'T prevent him playing for Wales
When contacted by WalesOnline, Basham's agent Gareth Maule, of Esportif, said: "Taine is an exceptional talent who's naturally going to attract interest.
"His performances at age grade and now at regional level have been eye-catching.
"However, Taine remains under contract with the Dragons for a further season and remains fully committed to his role."
