It was an emotional night at Rodney Parade as Wales international Aaron Wainwright played his final home game for the Dragons, bidding a heartfelt farewell to the club's faithful supporters. The 28-year-old back row star, who has been a mainstay in the Dragons lineup since his debut in 2017, will be trading the red of Newport for the famous Leicester Tigers jersey ahead of the 2026-27 season.

While Wainwright's 137th and last home appearance didn't end with a victory—Edinburgh's Scottish star Duhan van der Merwe powered the visitors to a 24-15 win in the United Rugby Championship—the night was about something much bigger than the scoreboard. In a touching tribute, Dragons fans were invited onto the pitch for a special presentation honoring Wainwright's immense contributions to the club, with many supporters even sporting blonde mullet wigs in a playful nod to his iconic hairstyle.

"I think tonight summed it up really well. Seeing so many fans here and them being able to come out on the pitch afterwards just shows how tight this club is," Wainwright reflected after the match. "It was a special occasion for me tonight being my last home game here."

The Dragons have faced back-to-back losses, following a tight Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Montpellier last week, but Wainwright remains optimistic about the club's trajectory. "Plenty of positives for the Dragons. Hopefully they keep the momentum going from what we've done this year because we've had some real good wins over the course of the season," he said. "Hopefully they can give the fans more to get behind next year."

Wainwright's journey from a promising debutant to a club legend has been defined by his relentless work rate, powerful carries, and leadership on the pitch. But for the man himself, it's the bond with the supporters that stands out most. "It was awesome having the fans on the pitch. Very hectic as well," he laughed. "I spoke in the week about having that connection with the fans after the games. Even though we lost tonight, they were still in full voice and that's what it's been like over the course of my career here. No matter what the scorelines have been, no matter what peaks and troughs we've gone through, the fans are always here cheering us on."

As Wainwright prepares for his new chapter with Leicester Tigers, the Dragons faithful will remember not just the tries and tackles, but a player who gave everything for the jersey—and a mullet that became as legendary as the man himself.