Aaron Wainwright

Aaron Wainwright (born 25 September 1997) is a Wales international rugby union player who plays for Dragons regional team as a flanker.

Aaron Wainwright
Birth nameAaron Wainwright
Date of birth (1997-09-25) 25 September 1997
Place of birthNewport, Wales
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb; 234 lb)
SchoolPentrepoeth Primary School, Rhiwderin
Bassaleg School, Newport
UniversityCardiff Metropolitan University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Blindside Flanker
Number 8
Current team Dragons
Youth career
  Whiteheads RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Dragons 84 (50)
Correct as of 28 December 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018– Wales 43 (5)
Correct as of 18 March 2023

Early life

Wainwright originally looked destined for a career in football having been on the books of both Cardiff City and Newport County during his teenage years. He was at Cardiff City from Under 9-16 and was included in the Wales Under 16 football squad.[1] Wainwright played youth rugby for Whiteheads RFC. Wainwright attended Cardiff Metropolitan University and played in the BUCS Super Rugby tournament.[2]

Club career

Wainwright made his debut for the Dragons regional team in 2017 having previously played for Newport RFC. The back row completed a clean sweep at the region's end of season awards in May 2019 as he was named the Coaches Player-of-the-Year, Players' Player-of-the-Year and DOSC Player-of-the-Year.

From his new position of Number 8, Wainwright scored against the Ospreys, as the Dragons won the derby 31–20 on 6 March 2021.[3] His success against regional rivals continued as he touched down twice helping the Dragons beat the Scarlets 52–32 on 25 April 2021.[4]

International career

Wainwright made his debut for the Welsh national team on 10 June 2018 versus Argentina as a second-half replacement.[5] He was named on the bench a week prior for the match against South Africa, but did not take to the field.[6]

He scored his debut international try, on 20 October 2019, as Wales' opening try in the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France at the Oita stadium. A foul against him by Sébastien Vahaamahina led to Vahaamahina being sent off. Wales went on to win the match by one point and Wainwright was named Mastercard Player of the Match.[7][8]

Under new Welsh coach Wayne Pivac, Wainwright underwent a shift from blindside flanker to Number 8.[9] He was named man of the match in the win against Georgia in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series.[10] He featured twice in the 2021 Six Nations Championship, as Wales won the title and the Triple Crown. Wainwright continued to feature for Wales throughout the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals and 2022 Six Nations, primarily at Number 8 but also appearing on the blindside.

Injury ruled Wainwright out of the 2022 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa,[11] and he was omitted from the squad for the 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals, but was selected for the Barbarians in their match against the All Blacks XV.[2]

International tries
TryOpponentLocationVenueCompetitionDateResult
1 FranceOita, JapanBank Dome2019 Rugby World Cup20 October 2019Win

References
  1. "Aaron Wainwright".
  2. November 2022, Joe Harvey Friday 11. "Aaron Wainwright Exclusive: 'University rugby is probably what got me where I am'". Talking Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  3. "Ospreys versus Dragons Match Report on 06 March 2021 | Dragons". www.dragonsrugby.wales. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  4. "Dragons versus Scarlets Match Report on 25 April 2021 | Dragons". www.dragonsrugby.wales. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  5. Southcombe, Matthew (9 June 2018). "Everything Warren Gatland said after Wales' outstanding win". walesonline.
  6. "A father's epic journey to support his son". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  7. "Wales beat France 20-19 to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finals in thriller". BBC Sport. 20 October 2019.
  8. rugbybworldcup.com. "Wales strike late to make 'unlucky' France pay for red card". www.worldrugby.org. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  9. "'Pivac sees me at number eight and I can see where he's coming from'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  10. "Dragon News : Waino named man of the match in Georgia win". www.dragonsrugby.wales. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  11. "Injured Wainwright out of Wales tour". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
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