Wales boss Warren Gatland believes Aaron Wainwright could be ‘pretty special’ – after naming the Dragons back row in his initial World Cup training squad.
Wainwright – who was named man-of-the-match in the Judgement Day VII victory over Scarlets - was one of six Dragons named in a 42-man squad to start preparing for the showpiece event in Japan later this year.
Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown and Hallam Amos were also named.
And Gatland has spoken about how much Wainwright, 21, has impressed him since bursting onto the international scene winning his first cap in Argentina last summer.
Wainwright made his first start against Tonga in the autumn and featured in every game of the Six Nations Grand Slam.
“Aaron is doing well,” Gatland told the South Wales Argus. “When he first came in the squad we couldn’t get a word out of him and he was pretty quiet but there is no doubt that he has impressed everyone with his physicality.
“He could be pretty special in the next year or two because he is a great athlete, is quick and is getting better every campaign.
“Aaron was good at seven (against the Scarlets) the other day, he has been great for us coming off the bench and is there on merit for what he has done.
“We are in a very strong position in terms of having a lot of quality and depth and Aaron was a player that we spoke about, knowing that there was a little bit of X-factor in him before we named him in a squad.
“He has rewarded us for that faith we showed in him, when a lot of people saw that initial selection as a bit of a surprise in terms of them touting other players.
“Aaron has fully deserved that selection and people have recognised what he has achieved.”
Aaron was good at seven the other day, he has been great for us coming off the bench and is there on merit for what he has done...
