The Wales international is set to join English rugby’s biggest club
Aaron Wainwright will become the latest star to leave Welsh rugby with the Wales backrower set to sign for English side Leicester Tigers, WalesOnline has learnt.
WalesOnline understands the Dragons matched Leicester’s financial offer for the 62-times capped backrower but the 28-year-old wanted to experience a fresh challenge in the Gallagher Prem. Wainwright has spent the entirety of his professional career at the Dragons to date but he will become the third big name Wales international to sign for an English club in the past month, with Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake joining Gloucester.
The Welsh Rugby Union has thrown the game in Wales into turmoil with plans to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three.
While big changes are needed there doesn’t seem to be any end to the uncertainty, with the WRU no closer to deciding who the three teams will be moving forward than they were at the start of the process.
Wainwright is an outstanding backrower who has been one of Wales’ better players during the most difficult run of results in its professional history.
The 28-year-old is a dynamic carrier with a nice blend of athleticism and raw physicality who could take his game to a new level at Welford Road.
Geoff Parling’s side remain the biggest club in England and have aspirations of becoming English champions once again.
They see Wainwright as integral to their plans and the Tigers could field an all-Welsh backrow of Wainwright, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell next season.
While the loss of Wainwright will disappoint Dragons fans, powerbrokers at the club are extremely confident they will have a stronger squad for the 2026/27 season.
WalesOnline understands the Dragons have targeted at least a couple of high-end international class players to bolster the pack and have a big name replacement in their sights.
Under the current pay-banding, £300k is the most a Welsh club can offer a player unless it is a targeted marquee signing.
The Dragons have improved of late and thrashed the Scarlets 28-5 at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day.
While powerbrokers at the club strongly oppose the WRU’s plans for central control, the ownership group of David Buttress, David Wright and HoYoung Huh have ambitious plans for the Gwent region.
But the uncertainty and the lack of clarity within Welsh rugby is driving senior Wales internationals into the clutches of English clubs.
Players, agents and administrators are sick of the lack of clarity and while the WRU are guaranteeing the contracts of Welsh players of national interest, more are expected to leave.
