How Wainwright became a Dragons great ahead of Parade goodbye

A move to Welford Road looms after enjoying his time at another historic - and atmospheric - rugby ground.

"The thing that I will remember the most is just being able to connect and cheer with the fans after the games," he said.

"Especially the guys on the terrace, they have stuck with us for so long and they've been awesome.

"At the end of every game that's something that we all look forward to, staying out there for as long as possible and chatting to the fans."

Of the current crop, perhaps only wing Rio Dyer can rival Wainwright as the player that supporters want a selfie with after his development to become a talisman.

Rapid rise from Cardiff Met

Aaron Wainwright's first Dragons start was against Newcastle in 2017 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Wainwright made his Dragons debut as a replacement at Cardiff on 6 October 2017, a week after time elapsed as he waited to come on against Southern Kings at Rodney Parade.

History would repeat when he was denied a first cap against South Africa in Washington the following summer.

After his Arms Park debut, former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman went on to use him 25 times in a breakthrough season that ended in the 20-year-old becoming a Wales international in Argentina.

That came despite some at the club fearing Wainwright, who had been with Cardiff Met in the Championship the previous season, would not stand up to the demands of the professional game.

"We had an unbelievable number of back rowers at the time, had very little money and he had a groin problem that meant he couldn't really train every day," said Jackman.

"We were told about the negatives but he had an athleticism that jumped out at you and [then forwards coach] Ceri Jones deserves a lot of credit, because he was a huge fan.

"We felt that we needed to give him a shot and he took it all in his stride; he didn't get very high or very low, he just came in and did his job.

"There were fears he wouldn't handle regular game time, but after getting a chance he was unbelievably robust and has pretty much been available since."

Wainwright - who was on the books of Cardiff City football club as a youngster - has won 67 caps, represented Barbarians twice when in the international cold under ex-Wales boss Wayne Pivac and played 135 games for Dragons.

He has passed 20 games in the last four seasons and played in 24 of 27 Tests since the last World Cup.

"He had the athleticism but he is not unique in that," said former Ireland hooker Jackman. "He had the ability to be available every week, be consistent and learn quickly.

"Aaron was a pleasure to coach, an honest and quiet guy. He was very easy to manage, and I doubt that has changed because he is a gentleman.

"I know from speaking to the Irish back rowers that he is incredibly highly respected because he is a proper operator at the highest level.

"He's had a great career with hopefully way more to come, and it will be great for him to go on and taste something different."

'Forrest Gump' joins Dragons greats

Aaron Wainwright (right) played for Wales at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Dragons have been blessed with legendary back rowers through the years.

Wainwright has followed in the footsteps of Taulupe Faletau, his current coach Dan Lydiate, Michael Owen, Jason Forster, Joe Bearman, Colin Charvis, Jamie Ringer and record appearance holder Lewis Evans.

Evans was rehabilitating a bicep injury in the summer of 2017 when joined by a "nice university kid" who quickly made an impression.

"The way that Waino exploded onto the scene reminded me of 'Toby' Faletau eight years earlier," said the former forward, who played for Dragons between 2006 and 2021.

"I think of him like Forrest Gump – give him the ball and he'll just run as fast and hard as he can.

"He has that X-factor that someone like [fellow back row] Ollie Griffiths also had; he's got raw dynamism but has also worked so hard to improve."

Wainwright enjoyed a rapid rise to Test rugby but Evans points to his appetite to not only still report fit for Dragons but also lead the way.

"What made Toby so revered was that he was a Wales international who also played so well for his club, winning man of the match in most of the games," he said.

"Waino has been the same with line breaks, tries and work rate, so he deserves all the plaudits."

The next step in the Prem

Wainwright has two more games in Wales before testing himself in England.

The forward and his fiancee have chosen a village in the south-west of Leicestershire and he will link up with international teammates Tommy Reffell, Olly Cracknell and Gabriel Hamer-Webb at Tigers.

"The standard of the Prem is really exciting and Leicester is a massive club with so much history," said Wainwright, who intends to retain some sort of coaching role with Whiteheads after their promotion from Division Four East.

"It's really exciting to challenge myself and hopefully add to what they've got there already, and hopefully it will take my game to a new level as well."

After earning his stripes with Dragons, Wainwright wants to leave for Tigers after one last Rodney Parade win and a derby success at Scarlets.