Hailing from Wattstown, Winnett attended Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwyncelyn and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, both in Porth, going on to Coleg y Cymoedd.
He played for Treorchy RFC up until Youth, while also representing Rhondda Schools, playing under Chris Jones and Neil Boobyer.
Winnett also progressed through the regional age-grade system and got his first taste of senior rugby with Cardiff RFC in the Welsh Premiership in October 2021.
Just a couple of months later, aged only 18, he found himself starting a Champions Cup match against Harlequins at The Stoop, with the bulk of the first-team squad stranded in South Africa due to Covid pandemic travel restrictions. He marked the occasion with a try after just five minutes.
For the following 18 months, he had to bide his time playing his club rugby for Cardiff RFC and featuring for Wales U20s.
Winnett is another player, with the likes of Evan Lloyd, Mackenzie Martin and Alex Mann, to enjoy a breakthrough 2023-24 campaign in Blue & Black and he has been virtually ever-present since.
He was one of five uncapped players named in the 2024 Wales Six Nations squad and was a bright spark in a disappointing campaign. Winnett remains a Cardiff and Wales regular.
