Wales’ Aaron Wainwright says Gallagher PREM a 'step up' since summer move

Wales back-rower Aaron Wainwright believes joining Leicester has given him a louder voice on and off the field.

Wainwright will be a key player as Wales attempt to find Nations Championship momentum less than a year away from the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

The 29-year-old moved to the Tigers this summer after a nine-year stay at his home Welsh region Dragons, and says he is already reaping the rewards of playing in England.

“I’ve found it to be a step up, the physicality and intensity of games, but I’ve enjoyed it,” said Wainwright, who has helped Leicester to top spot in the early weeks of the Gallagher Prem season.

“It’s a new challenge at Leicester, standards are very high and that’s led a lot by the players.

“They’ve got a lot of good leaders and experience there, and that’s brought more of a voice out of me.

“So I potentially contribute off field more in that sense. The way players drive things and handle day-to-day stuff, it’s exciting to see that in a new environment.

“In the first few days I didn’t know my role straight away and someone was getting stuck into me.

“I thought ‘I need to make sure I’m really on it here’ – that’s the level they’re at.”

Wales host Japan in Cardiff on Saturday as the Nations Championship resumes following a four-month break.

It is a must-win game for Wales if they hope to climb from fifth in the northern hemisphere standings, with tougher challenges against New Zealand and Australia to come in the next fortnight.

Wales need to improve on their record under Steve Tandy, having won only three of their 12 matches during the head coach’s first year in charge.

But there have been signs of progress in 2026, particularly in narrow Six Nations defeats to Scotland and Ireland as well as wins over Italy and Fiji.

“We’ve had a couple of campaigns together now and I don’t think we performed as well as we should have in the last two games of the summer,” said Wainwright, who will be back in his preferred number eight position after playing at six for Leicester.

“We’ve spoken a lot about being on this journey and we can put that into action.

“Give the fans something they can see on the pitch that reflects the words that we’re saying. That’s what we have to deliver on Saturday.”