AARON Wainwright hopes his energetic effort in Wales’ Six Nations finale has given his World Cup dreams a boost.

The Dragons back rower had a frustrating championship on the sidelines until the trip to Paris in round five.

Wainwright won his 37th cap as a blindside flanker against France, joining forces with number eight Taulupe Faletau on his 100th Wales appearance and openside Justin Tipric.

The 25-year-old from Bassaleg got through a mountain of work in the 41-28 loss to Les Bleus despite having just one game since January 22, when released for the Dragons’ United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht.

Competition is fierce for back row spots – Warren Gatland has Faletau, Tipuric, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Christ Tshiunza, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Thomas Young, Josh Turnbull as leading options – but Wainwright hopes he staked a claim for the World Cup.

Aaron Wainwright on the run for Wales against France at the 2019 World Cup (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I was really excited to get the chance to start, it was a special moment,” said the forward, who can also play number eight and openside.

“I spoke to some of the coaches before the game and their message was that it was a chance to put my hand up.

“Hopefully I did that because going to a second World Cup is something that I am definitely aiming for.”

Wainwright was a key figure at the end of Gatland’s first spell in charge and starred at Japan 2019.

It was a tough Six Nations but the Dragons forward believes the win in Italy and improved effort against France, who are ranked second in the world, gives reason for optimism.

“We got better throughout the campaign. It wasn’t the complete performance but it was better than it was at the start,” said Wainwright.

“There has been growth and now it's a case of picking up where we left off in the World Cup training camp. If we can get the ball rolling we will be ready to go come the World Cup.

“There was always going to be a bit of a phase where new coaching staff were trying to implement their ideas and how they to play the game. It came together in parts in France, but it wasn't the complete performance.”

Wainwright now returns to the Dragons for the run-in with Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with the Ospreys in Swansea followed by the European Challenge Cup last-16 tie at Glasgow.

Hooker Bradley Roberts, tighthead Leon Brown and wing Rio Dyer were also in the Six Nations squad and head coach Dai Flanagan will be keen to integrate his Test contingent before the trip to Scotstoun Stadium.