Welsh rugby’s woes are set to continue after it was revealed that star back-rower Aaron Wainwright is reportedly set to further his career in England with Leicester Tigers.
According to a WalesOnline report, the 28-year-old is set to follow in the footsteps of his Wales team-mates Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake who will join another PREM Rugby outfit Gloucester from the Ospreys ahead of the 2026/27 season.
A massive setback for Welsh rugby
The departures will be a massive setback for rugby union in Wales at a time of great uncertainty for the game in that nation.
Wainwright has been a stalwart for the Dragons since making his debut for them in October 2017 and he has already made 129 appearances for the region.
Despite experiencing more defeats than victories during his time at the Rodney Parade-based outfit, the 28-year-old rejected other offers in favour of signing a Dragons contract extension in January 2024.
However, Wainwright is now expected to make the move to Leicester, who also have fellow Wales back-rowers Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell on their books.
Although he is primarily a number eight, Wainwright can also pack down on the flank and he is adept on either side of the ball.
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Should be a good addition to Leicester’s squad
His ball carrying skills will be a boost for the Tigers, who currently occupy fifth position in the PREM Rugby standings, and they are set to take on their Saracens, who are just one place below them in the table, at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday.
The domestic game in Wales has been battling in recent years, and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) are trying to reduce the number of professional men’s clubs in the country from four to three.
The WRU were hoping to find a resolution to that conundrum before the end of 2025 but are yet to make a decision on who of the Ospreys, Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff would be consigned to the scrapheap.
Welsh rugby currently have a 25-cap rule which prevents players with less Test appearances from representing Wales in the international arena if they sign for a club outside of the country.
Wainwright will still be available for Wales at Test level though as he has already represented his country on 62 occasions.
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