They might sound like an accountancy firm, but Wainwright, Cracknell and Reffell are becoming the engine room of a resurgent Leicester Tigers. The trio of Welsh back-rowers — Aaron Wainwright, Olly Cracknell and Tommy Reffell — have all started Leicester’s first three Premiership games together, powering an encouraging start to the campaign with wins over Newcastle and Gloucester and a narrow defeat to Saracens.
Aaron Wainwright (Credits: BBC Sport)
It’s a combination that had never played together before this season, yet the balance is already clicking: Wainwright and Reffell operating as flankers with Cracknell at number eight.
Complementary Styles, One Unit
The trio brings a well-rounded mix of skills. Wainwright and Cracknell provide the ball-carrying grunt and defensive power, while Reffell has emerged as the master poacher at the breakdown.
“I think we’ve complemented each other well and gone about our business, so it’s been enjoyable to get stuck in,” Wainwright told the Scrum V podcast. Reffell returned the praise: “Both Crackers and Waino are physical, dynamic players, but their knowledge of the game is also excellent, being at the right place at the right time. They know when to carry, so seeing them do that in the Premiership has been great.”
Wainwright — the new kid on the block at Welford Road despite 70 Wales caps, a Grand Slam title and two Six Nations triumphs — has wasted no time making an impression. He scored his first Leicester try in the 38-31 victory against Gloucester, and set up Wales wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb with a try-scoring pass on his debut against Saracens.
“He moves like a back and hits like a forward,” said Hamer-Webb. “He has this engine on him that just does not stop and that’s part of the Leicester Tigers DNA. To be on the same pitch as him and see how he moves, he is phenomenal.”
The Welsh Influx Into England
Wainwright’s move to Leicester after almost a decade at the Dragons is part of a growing influx of Wales’ top players into the English Premiership. Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan have joined Gloucester, alongside Louis Rees-Zammit, Dafydd Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Nicky Smith, Rhys Carre, Archie Griffin, Tomas Francis and Christ Tshiunza.
The 29-year-old has settled quickly — he’s in a lift-share with Reffell and fly-half Billy Searle — and he’s already a firm fans’ favourite. After the away win at Newcastle, supporters wearing headbands and wigs posed for photos with him, and one slipped him a packet of Welsh cakes for the bus ride home.
Leicester now turn their attention to Europe, preparing for the start of their Champions Cup campaign away in Pau on Sunday — a new frontier for Wainwright, who never played in the top-tier competition during his time at Rodney Parade.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.