Wainwright made his Dragons debut as a replacement at Cardiff on 6 October 2017, a week after time elapsed as he waited to come on against Southern Kings at Rodney Parade.
History would repeat when he was denied a first cap against South Africa in Washington the following summer.
After his Arms Park debut, former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman went on to use him 25 times in a breakthrough season that ended in the 20-year-old becoming a Wales international in Argentina.
That came despite some at the club fearing Wainwright, who had been with Cardiff Met in the Championship the previous season, would not stand up to the demands of the professional game.
“We had an unbelievable number of back rowers at the time, had very little money and he had a groin problem that meant he couldn’t really train every day,” said Jackman.
“We were told about the negatives but he had an athleticism that jumped out at you and [then forwards coach] Ceri Jones deserves a lot of credit, because he was a huge fan.
“We felt that we needed to give him a shot and he took it all in his stride; he didn’t get very high or very low, he just came in and did his job.
“There were fears he wouldn’t handle regular game time, but after getting a chance he was unbelievably robust and has pretty much been available since.”
Wainwright – who was on the books of Cardiff City football club as a youngster – has won 67 caps, represented Barbarians twice when in the international cold under ex-Wales boss Wayne Pivac and played 135 games for Dragons.
He has passed 20 games in the last four seasons and played in 24 of 27 Tests since the last World Cup.
“He had the athleticism but he is not unique in that,” said former Ireland hooker Jackman. “He had the ability to be available every week, be consistent and learn quickly.
“Aaron was a pleasure to coach, an honest and quiet guy. He was very easy to manage, and I doubt that has changed because he is a gentleman.
“I know from speaking to the Irish back rowers that he is incredibly highly respected because he is a proper operator at the highest level.
“He’s had a great career with hopefully way more to come, and it will be great for him to go on and taste something different.”
