AARON Wainwright might not be the only Wales international returning for the Dragons at Connacht on Saturday with full-back Cai Evans pushing for a first appearance of the season.
Number eight Wainwright is in line to make his comeback from a torn hamstring in the United Rugby Championship fixture in Galway (kick-off 7.35pm).
The talisman was named in Warren Gatland’s squad for the autumn internationals on Monday and is pencilled in for a first appearance since his injury blow against Australia in June.
Wainwright took part in pre-match preparations against Benetton last weekend and now the Dragons must weigh up whether to start him at number eight or introduce him from the bench.
“He was flat out [in training] on Monday. He has been awesome, it’s his first major injury and he is a week ahead of schedule,” said head coach Dai Flanagan.
“That’s credit to the work that he has done and the hours he has put in. I am excited to see how he goes.”
The Dragons started with a back row trio of Ryan Woodman, Harri Keddie and Taine Basham last weekend with former Wales flanker Dan Lydiate coming off the bench for his 99th appearance.
The player-coach is unlikely to bring up a century at the Sportsground because of the return of Wainwright.
Evans was also on the Rodney Parade pitch ahead of the 31-21 defeat to Benetton and is in the selection mix after a hamstring.
If the twice-capped Wales international starts then Angus O’Brien would be an option at fly-half in place of Lloyd Evans.
The Dragons profited from the return of summer signing Steve Cummins from a broken hand last weekend and the treatment room is emptying, just in time for a break for the autumn internationals.
“We have a couple of players returning and we are deciding whether to start them or put them on the bench,” said Flanagan.
“We have Cai Evans and [full-back] Jordan Williams back in the fold, Wainwright is selectable, George Nott is available [after a shoulder injury suffered at Leinster in round two].
“We have had two teams on the field for our training sessions with quality out there, which is superb.”
The teams are named at midday on Friday.
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