The Wales maintains a back row star as the Six Nations improves
By signing a new deal with the Dragons, Aaron Wainwright has given Welsh rugby a significant boost ahead of the Six Nations.
The Wales back-row forward has signed to what the Dragons called “a multi-year” contract. He is expected to start at number eight in next week’s Six Nations match against Scotland.
The 26-year-old’s 43 Test caps and impressive performances during the Rugby World Cup in France would have surely piqued interest from other teams.
“Dai (Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan), myself, and the club have had a lot of positive conversations,” Wainwright stated.
“I am excited about the upcoming years. I am a home boy, and I adore the Dragons.
“I enjoy going to Rodney Parade and watching the people on the terraces, so that’s what I want to continue doing—showing up on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, playing well, and attempting to cheer the fans on.
I’m glad I resigned, and I’m looking forward to what the upcoming years may bring.
After making his Wales debut in 2018, Wainwright has grown into a player whose performance consistency is a priceless asset for head coach Warren Gatland.
In Wales’ 34-man Six Nations squad, only six players—two of whom are forwards—have more caps than him, and he is unquestionably the most experienced back-row player.
Wainwright will be in charge of Gatland’s back-row options since flanker and co-captain Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau are both injured and will miss the entire Six Nations season.
Expect a switch from blindside flanker unless Gatland puts Wainwright in the number six shirt and gives Cardiff’s uncapped number eight Mackenzie Martin a chance.
“At the present, the group is rather young. It’s fantastic, for sure, and now the question is how we capitalise on it, Wainwright continued.
“Some of the back rows in the squad, Tips (Justin Tipuric), Lyds (Dan Lydiate), and Taulupe (Faletau), were trying to be figures to them as those boys were to me when I came in for my first campaign. All I’m trying to do is be the greatest example for them.
“I don’t always talk the loudest.” With my activities, I aspire to accomplish that.
“In training, we have been pushing each other, and everyone has adapted well and swiftly. Even after just three days of instruction, knowledge is picking up fast.
Since 2002, when Gregor Townsend, the current head coach, was Scotland’s fly-half, the country has lost 11 consecutive Test matches against Wales in Cardiff.
However, they have a lot of support to break that run, especially considering Wales’ inexperience and the absence of players like Dan Biggar, Liam Williams, Morgan, Faletau, and Louis Rees-Zammit.
Although the team has a 735-man cap, just seven players—Wainwright, Josh Adams, George North, Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Elliot Dee, and Adam Beard—have made 438 of those appearances.
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Wales benefit from Aaron Wainwright’s new Dragons contract ahead of the Six Nations
By signing a new deal with the Dragons, Aaron Wainwright has given Welsh rugby a significant boost ahead of the Six Nations.
The Wales back-row forward has signed to what the Dragons called “a multi-year” contract. He is expected to start at number eight in next week’s Six Nations match against Scotland.
The 26-year-old’s 43 Test caps and impressive performances during the Rugby World Cup in France would have surely piqued interest from other teams.
“Dai (Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan), myself, and the club have had a lot of positive conversations,” Wainwright stated.
After making his Wales debut in 2018, Wainwright has grown into a player whose performance consistency is a priceless asset for head coach Warren Gatland.
In Wales’ 34-man Six Nations squad, only six players—two of whom are forwards—have more caps than him, and he is unquestionably the most experienced back-row player.
Wainwright will be in charge of Gatland’s back-row options since flanker and co-captain Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau are both injured and will miss the entire Six Nations season.
Expect a switch from blindside flanker unless Gatland puts Wainwright in the number six shirt and gives Cardiff’s uncapped number eight Mackenzie Martin a chance.
“At the present, the group is rather young. It’s fantastic, for sure, and now the question is how we capitalise on it, Wainwright continued.
“Some of the back rows in the squad, Tips (Justin Tipuric), Lyds (Dan Lydiate), and Taulupe (Faletau), were trying to be figures to them as those boys were to me when I came in for my first campaign. All I’m trying to do is be the greatest example for them.
“I don’t always talk the loudest.” With my activities, I aspire to accomplish that.
“In training, we have been pushing each other, and everyone has adapted well and swiftly. Even after just three days of instruction, knowledge is picking up fast.
Since 2002, when Gregor Townsend, the current head coach, was Scotland’s fly-half, the country has lost 11 consecutive Test matches against Wales in Cardiff.
However, they have a lot of support to break that run, especially considering Wales’ inexperience and the absence of players like Dan Biggar, Liam Williams, Morgan, Faletau, and Louis Rees-Zammit.
Although the team has a 735-man cap, just seven players—Wainwright, Josh Adams, George North, Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Elliot Dee, and Adam Beard—have made 438 of those appearances.
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