Wainwright credits Welsh back-row partnership for Leicester's strong start

Aaron Wainwright has credited his partnership with Olly Cracknell and Tommy Reffell as Leicester Tigers build on two victories from their first three league matches. In a BBC Sport report published on Thursday, the Wales international said the new combination had worked well together.

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Wainwright told the BBC's Scrum V podcast that Reffell had helped him settle into Leicester after his move from Dragons. The three Welsh forwards had not previously played together, but have started every league game this season, with Wainwright and Reffell on the flanks and Cracknell at number eight. The partnership has remained unchanged through wins over Newcastle and Gloucester.

Their most recent victory provided a scoring milestone for Wainwright. According to PA's match report carried by RugbyPass, he registered his first Leicester try in the 38-31 win over Gloucester at Welford Road on 9 October. His close-range finish secured the hosts' fourth try and their attacking bonus point during the second half.

Leicester had conceded two converted tries inside the opening 10 minutes and trailed 14-0. They responded with 31 consecutive points, turning that early deficit into a commanding advantage. Finn Carnduff, Joe Heyes and Jamie Blamire scored before the interval, while Billy Searle's kicking and Wainwright's try extended the lead after the restart.

Gloucester still left with two bonus points, despite suffering their first league defeat of the season. Ollie Hassell-Collins scored Leicester's fifth try, before Jack Innard's late score and George Barton's final-kick penalty brought the visitors within seven points. PA reported that eight of the game's nine tries came from forwards, underlining how much of the scoring was done close to the opposition line.

Reffell, meanwhile, was named player of the match in Leicester's earlier victory at Newcastle, BBC Sport reported. He said maintaining his own standards was his response to past Wales omissions. Cracknell, who played in the 2026 Six Nations but missed the summer squad, is also seeking an international recall; neither player's club form guarantees selection.