THE blueprint remains the same for Aaron Wainwright as the Dragons flanker attempts to unlock the "50 per cent" improvement that his boss says is possible.

This time last year the 21-year-old from Bassaleg was yet to make a professional appearance. Now, after playing in 29 of 30 games since his debut at Cardiff Blues, Wainwright is a Wales international.

The flanker made his Test bow in the first Test win against Argentina in June, impressing Warren Gatland with the energy that he showed in a cameo off the bench.

Wales' back row riches mean that it would be something of a surprise if Wainwright gets the call for this autumn's encounters with Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa but the prospect has made a habit of achieving the unlikely over the past 12 months.

"I am looking to push on this season and try and top what I have done," said Wainwright, who can play blindside and openside.

"The summer was a really good experience, I got a bit of game time and learnt from the boys in the Welsh squad.

"I wanted to take thing away from the tour that I could bring back to make myself a better player.

"I don't think it has changed me as a person, I have had that experience and want to keep pushing myself. I just want to focus on training hard week in, week out and putting in performances on the weekend, do that and I will be happy and so will the coaches.

"I just want to focus on getting results for the Dragons. Whatever else happens I will take as a bonus, I am just looking to improve all the time.

"Things might plateau a bit! But hopefully I will keep playing well, keep focusing on what I did well last year and keep adding to my strengths and improving my weaknesses."

Head coach Bernard Jackman believes the Dragons have an extremely special talent on their hands and is excited about how good the workaholic flanker could become.

"Aaron has unbelievable pace and a very good attitude in terms of being a consistent hard worker. He is selfless," said the former Ireland hooker.

"He still has a lot of work to do on his role in certain areas but is a very interesting project with a lot of potential – I would say he is only at 50 per cent of where he can get to because his training age is so low.

"He has had very little time in any proper system, so his growth can be way higher than someone who has been spotted at 16 and been involved in various age-grade teams.

"Aaron has been away with Wales and seen the next level, he has got a taste of it now. He is more intolerant of poor performance and even harder on himself.

"He is still a quiet, unassuming, humble guy but there is a bit of an edge to him as well, which is important."

Jackman says that Wainwright, who only started playing rugby at 17 after previously being on the books of Newport County as a midfielder, is a role model for other Dragons youngsters.

"He has to be an inspiration for anyone in that A league, or who has missed out on playing for their country at Under-18s or 20s," said the head coach.

"He has shown that if you have the right attitude, are talented and patient then opportunities will arise.

"I think he signed three contracts last year; to go from academy to being capped by Wales in the space of 12 months is phenomenal.

"He has started all four games for us and has been excellent – our back row is so exciting with him, Ross Moriarty and Ollie Griffiths given their age profile.

"We have got Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, James Thomas etcetera, who are more experienced and have a lot of value, but those three… that could be a very exciting Dragons back row for years to come, and potentially Wales."