WAYNE Pivac has declared that the hectic Test schedule won't derail his plans to reshape the Wales team by giving chances to the likes of Taine Basham, even if the Dragons tyro is being denied the chance to learn.

The head coach was meant to be planning to take the national team on tour to face Japan before a two-Test series in New Zealand.

The coronavirus pandemic has scuppered those summer fixtures but the clashes against the All Blacks could now form part of a busy autumn schedule.

Wales have their Six Nations finale against Scotland to play, could then face New Zealand and also have the planned encounters against Fiji, Argentina, the Kiwis and South Africa.

Those fixtures, highly likely to be played behind closed doors, would then be followed by the Six Nations in the new year.

Plans will need to be adapted but Pivac insists he won't be hindered in his plotting towards the next World Cup in France.

South Wales Argus:

"At the moment our planning for 2023 hasn't been affected, in terms of the matches being played," said the New Zealanader.

"We named a side for the game against Scotland, so you could see what we were doing there, and hopefully that game will be played this calendar year.

"If we do see the July tour postponed, and we are able to play those games pre-autumn, then we won't be losing any games.

"We will have to look closer at that if we do start to drop off Test matches, but at the moment that isn't the case."

Pivac still intends to bring flesh blood into the Wales squad after they were semi-finalists at the 2019 World Cup.

Centre Nick Tompkins impressed when given his Test bow in the Six Nations while uncapped back row forward Basham was also called up thanks to his exploits for the Dragons along with wing Louis Rees-Zammit, hooker Dewi Lake, lock Will Rowlands and tighthead prop WillGriff John.

"We know how old the players are and we have an idea about who will be around for the next World Cup," said Pivac.

"Whether we play those games behind closed doors or in front of crowds, the development of players won't be affected if we can play them.

"We are working towards bringing guys in over a staged period, but that will definitely have to be looked at if we start to lose Test matches.

"We may then have to re-evaluate the timings of when we bring in younger players and do it a bit earlier if we don't play those matches.

"They would have been playing club rugby at this time and so it means a young player like Taine Basham, for instance, hasn't had another few months experience at senior level.

"While the older players are getting a break and not putting any more miles on the clock between now and the World Cup, it is probably aiding them, but it is slowing the development of the younger ones."