The Wales and Dragons No.8 reckons the squad has carried momentum from the autumn into the opening week of the championship, despite the huge defeats suffered in November.
Wainwright believes pain has turned to gain, with players increasingly in tune around the messages being delivered by the coaching staff.
“Yeah, 100%,” Wainwright said when asked if Wales believe they can cause an upset.
“That’s what we’ve been focusing on this week. It’s just about ourselves and controlling what we can control.
“I think having that belief within the group is only going to be a good thing for us this weekend.”
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Wales arrive in London under pressure after failing to win a Six Nations match in the last two seasons.
But Wainwright believes recent performances suggest the team is moving in the right direction.
A 28-point tally scored in a 52-28 defeat to Argentina, a late one-point win over Japan, 24-23, and four tries tries scored in another thumping defeat to New Zealand, 52-26, in the autumn, provide the back rower with encouragement.
“I think picking up from where we left off in the autumn there were some good glimpses of what we are about, our identity and what we are trying to achieve as a group,” he said.
“It’s just can we keep building on that and hopefully that’s reflected in the game on Saturday.”
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Wainwright, 28, who was part of Wales’ Grand Slam-winning side in 2019 and the team that reached the World Cup semi-finals later that year, believes the key to that success was belief and clarity – qualities he now sees beginning to return.
“I think going back to those periods probably is that belief and really buying into what is being coached into you,” he said.
“We’re starting to build that, really starting to buy into the messages of what we’re going after in games and hopefully that keeps building.”
Much of that has come under head coach Steve Tandy, whose emphasis on work ethic and connection has shaped Wales’ approach.
Wainwright says players have responded positively to the clarity around roles and responsibilities.
“He’s been really big on connecting with everyone,” Wainwright said.
“Making sure that the person next to you, you’re connected with him and you’re caring for that person and for the team. That balance has worked well.”
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England, by contrast, enter the championship with confidence following an improved run of results over the past 18 months.
Steve Borthwick’s side are going into the tournament as favourites to get their hands on silverware – despite failing to win the tournament since 2020.
Wainwright believes their turnaround highlights the importance of alignment across the squad – something Wales are aiming to replicate.
“They’ve obviously got a bunch of world-class players,” he said.
“When they tick, everything is clean and smooth. Everyone knows what they’re going after. That’s what we’re trying to do – everyone knowing their role and job. Hopefully we can put them off their game on Saturday.”
The forward is confident Wales can compete physically, particularly in the back row, where he expects a tough contest at the breakdown.
“Pound for pound, 100%,” he said when asked if Wales’ pack can match England’s.
“They’ve got some really good operators over the ball. For us it’s how quick we can get our speed of ball and how much we can slow theirs down.”
Defence will be central to Wales’ hopes, with Wainwright acknowledging the importance of starting the championship with far intensity than they managed three months ago.
“Defensively we need to be right on the money.”
The soon-to-be Leicester Tigers player is also acutely aware of the shambolic backdrop to the tournament, with conflicts in the Welsh domestic game now soon to be fought out in the courtroom.
“Can we put a performance in that’s going to make the fans proud?” he said.
“That’s been our focus – showing our identity. We saw a glimpse of it in the autumn, but can we do that for 80 minutes?”
The Six Nations also marks the start of Wainwright’s final months in Welsh regional rugby, following confirmation he will join the Tigers next season.
He insists the move has not distracted him from his current responsibilities.
“It’s just a new challenge,” he said. “There’s still a long time left of the season, so until then I’m focusing on playing more for the Dragons and hopefully playing well here.”
Despite massive odds against a Wales win – bookmakers DragonBet are offering 27/1 on Wales in a two-horse race - Wainwright claims a Wales win at Twickenham would not constitute a major shock.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s about surprise,” he said. “You saw in the autumn what we could do when we were on the money.
If we get all that right, I don’t see a reason why we can’t put in a performance that wins us the game.”
