“I wouldn’t have it any other way”- Wainwright on bruising Six Nations campaign

Sunday, 15 March 2026 at 11:51

byHarry Tovey

Wales on Saturday afternoon ended a torrid run of 15-straight losses in the Six Nations as they put aside an underwhelming Italy side 31-17 at Principality Stadium.

Throughout that unwanted run for head coach Steve Tandy, Aaron Wainwright has been a shining light on an at times imperfect Wales national side.

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The Dragons player scored twice, as he concluded the contest against the Azzurri joint top carrier (13) after a number of unstoppable, powerful runs.

The 28-year-old has been Wales’ player of the championship, and he topped off a bruising but rewarding tournament with the Player of the Match accolade.

“Probably wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” said Wainwright, who was an injury concern earlier in the week but played the full 80 minutes on Saturday.

“I love playing for my country, love being out there with the boys today. I’ve been able to be a part of moments like that is what it’s all about.

“Speaking to probably the medical team and some of the other guys, just around how the body is, not being out there and maybe missing out on the chance to be a part of that.

“I don’t think I’d be able to look back at myself the same if I wasn't a part of that today.

“So yeah, just really pleased to have played in the match today and got the win.”

Speaking on the dominant number eight performance as well, head coach Tandy added: “He’s a fantastic player.

“We were concerned last week after he had a bump. But I’ve never seen him so focused. Even though there was a bit of doubt, he said he was playing.”

It was 1,099 days since Wales last recorded a Six Nations win, and 1,491 days since Wales last won a match at home in the tournament. And they did so in memorable fashion.

Despite all that, Wales still claimed their third consecutive wooden spoon, but, positively, they avoided a third straight Six Nations whitewash.

Within 45 minutes, Wales secured a bonus point through crosses from Wainwright, Dewi Lake, and Dan Edwards.

After being on the end of a number of record-breaking and simply agonising defeats over the course of those somewhat 1,500 days, it was an afternoon to be cherished for Wales.

“The first half probably couldn’t have gone any better,” continued Wainwright.

“I think we were really clinical, really accurate. It was awesome to have the crowd behind us like that, the noise in there was incredible.

“But yeah, probably didn’t finish the game in the way that we would have wanted to, but to come away with the win is unbelievable.”

On ending the losing streak, the Leicester Tigers-bound player added: “Given the circumstances of where we are as a country at the moment in terms of our past results and performances, it’s great to get the win and end the campaign on a high.

“If we’re being realistic about it, we probably should have had more wins from the campaign, and we want more wins.

“So going forward, hopefully, this is a bit of momentum that we need to kick on and hold ourselves to those standards that we set today.”