The 20-year-old is only in his third season as a professional and prior to the coronavirus pandemic curtailing the current campaign, he had been playing some fine rugby.
Basham had been a big player for the Dragons in the Guinness PRO14 and had also helped the men from Rodney Parade set up a European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Bristol.
He had also earned places in the Wales squad for last November’s clash with the Barbarians and the 2020 Six Nations where he is learning from breakdown adviser Warburton.
“Sam has had the biggest impact on me,” Basham said.
“I sit down with him after every game I play and I go through my clips with him. He was a top player for the Lions and one of the best Wales internationals ever so it’s great for me to get his view on things.
“He gives me feedback and then we try and work on things throughout the week. It’s good of him and he’s a great bloke. I used to watch Sam on TV growing up and read his books.
“Now I’m sat next to him going through games with him like he’s my mate. It’s mad really and a bit surreal.
“I remember Sam playing with the Lions in New Zealand in 2017. He was captain, played incredibly well, and he’s always been an idol for everyone in Welsh rugby.
“In the last few weeks I’ve been training with Wales on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays so I’ve had a good blast with them.
“I’ve then been doing the team run with the Dragons on the Friday and playing on the Saturday. It’s been tough and there is a bit more intensity at international level, but that’s only natural.
“It has made me a better player as I’m producing good performances on the pitch.”
Basham is the latest young Welsh back-row forward breaking on to the scene in a position where Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has enviable strength in depth.
“Things can happen quickly in rugby and if you work hard they can happen to you. If you’re given chances you have to take them,” said Basham.
“I don’t really look at the praise I get. I still haven’t got my Welsh cap so there is no reason for me to not be humble.
“I will stay grounded whether I get a Welsh cap or not. It is quite surprising to be where I am, but I can’t take my foot off the gas.”
Basham is yet to win a senior Welsh cap, but he has captained Wales at Under-20 level and also represented his country on the World Series Sevens circuit. He also has Gwent rugby flowing through his veins.
Basham’s father David played for Pontypool and Cross Keys.
Basham added: “I don’t think anything I do will ever be good enough for my dad. He doesn’t praise me often, but that’s just the way he is. He was a good player from what I’ve heard so his opinion is valuable although sometimes I don’t agree with him.”
On life at the Dragons and his experiences of the Wales set-up to date, Basham added: “This year I feel I’ve earned the game time I’ve been given. It’s a really happy camp at the Dragons under Dean Ryan.
“Now it’s about making sure we all try and drive the region forward. All I wanted initially was to break into the first team at the Dragons and then maybe try and become a regular.
“I’ve had a few good performances under my belt and it has got me into the Welsh squad. Wayne told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing for the Dragons and try to improve my game.
“It’s the little things you need to work on to be an all round good player at international level.
“It’s a game of inches whereas regional rugby is a game of metres and I do have to sacrifice a lot. The Dragons are going in the right direction so I’m happy to be on board.
“I want to get a Welsh cap in the next year and for the Dragons I think we have to push towards the Champions Cup.”
