Wales number eight Taine Basham will start his first international in four years as he replaces the injured Aaron Wainwright for the Nations Championship match against New Zealand on Saturday.

Basham is part of a back-row reshuffle with James Botham starting instead of fellow Cardiff flanker Alex Mann, and Jac Morgan completing the trio.

Wing Josh Adams, who scored two tries in the 28-21 victory against Japan, is left out in favour of Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb who wins only his second cap.

Lock Adam Beard comes in for Ben Carter as head coach Steve Tandy makes four starting changes.

Sale prop Tomas Francis has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign by injury with Cardiff tight-head Keiron Assiratti called into the squad.

Back rower Taine Plumtree and props Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis are named among the replacements with Rhys Carre not in the match-day 23.

Leicester back rower Wainwright has proved Wales’ most effective forward ball-carrier in recent times.

He picked up a minor calf injury against Japan and has spent the week in a protective boot as he battles to be fit against Australia

Basham was recalled to the Wales squad after impressing for Cardiff.

His previous Wales appearance came as a replacement in the 2024 Six Nations against England, while his last international start came in the 2022 tournament against the same opposition.

It is only his second Test start at number eight.

"I'm delighted that Taine gets an opportunity this weekend," said Tandy.

"It's been a while since his last appearance for Wales but he didn't give up and has put in a lot of dedication and hard work to get back.

"The way he's been playing for Cardiff has been great and I'm excited to see him go on Saturday."

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Adams, 31, had made only one start for Cardiff before facing Japan where he had a major effect on the game with two tries and a turnover.

"Four Test matches in a row is a pretty big ask for players," said Tandy.

"There will be some players in our squad who will do the four. There's always that plan to rotate, especially in the autumn, whereas in the Six Nations it's a bit more about what the starting team is."

The Wales head coach said Adams had been "outstanding".

"What he brings off the field to the group is massive. Him coming back, having gone back to play for Cardiff the week before, because he wanted that starting berth," added Tandy.

"It's just having an awareness and ultimately creating the opportunity for Josh to have a bit of a break this weekend.

"It'll be good for him to train this week and it's an opportunity to find out about others.

"We feel it's an opportunity for Gabe to come in this weekend."

Hamer-Webb has been in fine form for his club side having scored a hat-trick against Saracens in the Prem.

It will be a second cap for the 26-year-old after he started the Six Nations defeat against Scotland in February where he endured a difficult debut.

"Even on that Monday, when you spoke to Gabe, the awareness was there," said Tandy.

"Some players would probably shy away from what the game was but you didn't even need to go through it with him he knew, exactly what it was and he's aligned to it.

"You look at the way he's gone to Leicester, with guys like Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins in fine form, and he's broken into that.

"So I think he deserves this opportunity."

Beard, 30, will win his 69th cap after playing for his French club Montpellier last weekend.

Wales are looking to improve the line-out after losing six on their own throw against Japan.

"He adds massive experience, but also he's done really well in the summer, so we've got that ability to change," said Tandy.

"Ben Carter and Daf Jenkins have been great and Teddy Williams and Seb Davies have been in good form.

"We just feel it's a good opportunity."

Tandy confirmed Beard will return as the line-out leader as they aim to improve.

"There were couple of issues, whether it be a call or a throw," said Tandy.

"There were also couple of really good reads from Japan, who have some 6ft 9in boys.

"Our line-out has been our real shining lights over the last 12 months but you can have a bad day at the office.

"We know we'll have to make it right on the weekend."

Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953 with the All Blacks winning the past 34 matches and scoring more than 50 points on their three previous trips to Cardiff.

Dave Rennie’s side resumed their Nations Championship campaign with an impressive 43-21 victory against Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend.

"We're excited for the opportunity we have against New Zealand," said Tandy.

"It was good to get the win last Saturday, but some elements of our execution weren't where we wanted.

"We have to go up another level this weekend and be more ruthless. We have one of the best teams in the world coming.

"We want to be better and put in an 80-minute performance."

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, E James, Llewellyn, Hamer-Webb; Costelow, Tomos Williams; N Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Botham, Morgan Basham.

Replacements: Elias, G Thomas, D Lewis, Carter, Plumtree, Morgan-Williams, Edwards, Hennessey.