Wales make four changes for New Zealand Test

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made four changes to his starting lineup for Saturday's Nations Championship clash against New Zealand at Principality Stadium.

Taine Basham returns at number eight, while James Botham, Adam Beard and Gabriel Hamer-Webb are also named in the side following last weekend's 28–21 victory over Japan.

Taine Basham Returns to Wales Starting Lineup

Basham will make his first Wales appearance since the 2024 Six Nations, replacing Aaron Wainwright, who is unavailable with a minor calf injury.

Botham starts at blindside flanker, Beard comes into the second row, while Hamer-Webb replaces Josh Adams on the wing for his second Wales appearance.

Wales Lose Tomas Francis to Knee Injury

Prop Tomas Francis is set to be released from the squad after suffering a knee injury during training, with Keiron Assiratti called into the wider squad as additional cover.

Wales XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Eddie James, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taine Basham, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Nicky Smith

Reserves: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Louie Hennessey