Wainwright’s emotional Wales return after death of father

Sam Wainwright hatched plans with his father to get back into the Wales squad and now, just over two years since the death of his biggest fan, the prop is eyeing a return to Test rugby.

The 27-year-old tight-head was called into Steve Tandy’s squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday because of an injury to Cardiff team-mate Keiron Assiratti.

Wainwright will get the chance to appear in Test rugby for the first time since 2022, and for the first time since his father, Shaun, died in November 2023.

“Dad passed away two years ago and we talked to each other and said that we’d get back to this position,” said the prop.

“It was a big thing in the back of my mind, I’ve always been hungry to get back in.

Wainwright’s family were in the stands when he won his first cap in Wales’ historic 13-12 win against South Africa in Bloemfontein – the only time the men’s national team has won a game against the Springboks on their soil.

The prop from Prestatyn, then with Saracens after earning a move from Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), helped win a scrum penalty that set up field position for Josh Adams’ late try that was converted by Gareth Anscombe.

Wainwright was able to celebrate with his father, who was instrumental on his rise to Test level.

“He was a huge influence,” said the prop. “We were best friends and he did everything with me.

“He was one of the biggest support networks for me and when I got the call-up I thought about him a lot, it was quite emotional.

“We’d speak about everything and he’d watch every game. When I was at the Scarlets he would tell me what to pick up on after every game.

“He was unbelievable for me and that’s why getting this call up was a bit emotional for me. He would have been proud of me – 1,000%.”

A former rugby league player and a construction worker, Shaun ensured that Sam was able to give RGC his full attention.

“I told him I wanted to follow his route and have the rugby alongside it, but he would never let me do it,” said Wainwright, whose exploits earned a chance with Saracens in 2019.

Wainwright is behind Tomas Francis and Archie Griffin in the pecking order in the build up to Wales’ Six Nations opener against England in London on Saturday, 7 February.

The aim will be to win his fifth cap at some stage to add to the four he won as a replacement in 2022, with two outings in South Africa followed by autumn appearances against Argentina and Georgia.

Wainwright switched from Scarlets to Cardiff last summer and has made seven appearances for the United Rugby Championship play-off hopefuls.

He is confident that time in the middle will help him to thrive if called upon by Tandy.

“I’ve played a lot more rugby than when I was last in,” said Wainwright. “I’d only played 20-something games for Saracens at the time and was then put into that environment.

“When I was here last time it was a big learning curve for me and I’ve played a lot of rugby in between with Scarlets and Cardiff.

“I had those caps early in my career, but I understood I still had a lot to work on. I was quite critical of myself and I went away and worked hard.