Wainright’s flying high after whirlwind season
IT HAS been a breathtaking 12 months for Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright, who was still playing University rugby at Cardiff Met last season.
Wainwright made a swift progression from student life to pro rugby last season as he answered an injury crisis at the Dragons.
Fast forward to Christmas 2018 and Wainwright is now one of the first names on the Rodney Parade team sheet and a senior Wales international.
The tough-tackling flanker made his Test debut in Argentina in the summer and won two more caps in the November clashes with Tonga and South Africa.
Against the Springboks, Wainwright was pressed into emergency late service as a replacement and then appeared off the bench after just 11 minutes to produce a barnstorming display.
It further rubber-stamped his status as one of Welsh rugby’s most promising young players – a long way from his student rugby.
“My mum and dad remind me I could still be at university,” said the 21year-old after a remarkable first year in senior rugby.
“I wouldn’t say I’m right in the frame for the Six Nations. There are guys coming back – Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Shingler among them – but November was an awesome experience. Going into a camp where there were so many big names meant I learned a huge amount.
“Being there week in, week out and knowing how to prepare each day was a big benefit for me.
“The circumstances for the South Africa game weren’t great with Dan Lydiate being injured before the match and then Ross Moriarty being forced off with a HIA. I thought when I came on I did OK. I just tried to put in as big a shift as I could in the time I was on the field. It was a really good experience.
“I’ve brought that back to the Dragons and now I’m trying to improve here.”
Bernard Jackman’s sacking as Dragons head coach brought to an end a torrid 18 months at Rodney Parade, but in that time Wainwright has been one of few positives to emerge.
The former Cardiff City junior midfielder nonetheless remains an international novice, but one very much on an upward curve.
“It’s been a long year, but one with fond memories. I’m looking to build on that now. Hopefully playing against people I play with for Wales over this Christmas period can give me a boost for the Six Nations,” Wainwright said.
“South Africa gave me a massive boost. To get good feedback on the way I played was very beneficial for me. The campaign as a whole went well, and Cardiff Met is on the backburner for now.
“I’m looking to go back in the future, but I’m feeling good and fresh right now.”
The Dragons – with forwards coach Ceri Jones in charge over Christmas – are languishing at the wrong end of the PRO14, but Wainwright believes 2019 could be the year things change.
“There is a lot of potential at the Dragons. If you look at the squad on the paper it’s very good and if we find what makes us tick, I think we’ll be able to push on and compete with the best in the league,” he said.
“Ceri will get us in the right mindset. He is a top coach and things haven’t really changed. We want to put some performances in for him.”