Shaun Ainscough (born 27 November 1989[4]) is a former English professional rugby league footballer who last played as a winger for the Rochdale Hornets in the Championship.

[6] He was rotated into different positions throughout his academy career, playing at centre for a repeat match against Leigh seven weeks later, as well as fullback against Harlequins RL the game after that.

[12] The second test of this series ended with a victory for the England team winning 38–22, thanks in no small part to a hat-trick of tries from Ainscough, and another from Richard Myler, who would also go on to prominence in the Super League with fellow Lancastrians, Salford.

[13] Although he was not yet officially a part of Wigan first team, his debut appearance for the club was in a friendly match against Bradford Bulls in January 2008, wearing jersey number 31.

In the whole of his career prior to starting first-class rugby league for Wigan, he appeared in 32 academy and reserve fixtures, of which 24 were won, with Ainscough personally scoring 28 tries.

[15] Ainscough was promoted into Wigan first team on 22 January after receiving the number 28 jersey, which previously belonged to fellow academy product Sam Tomkins the season before.

[19] However, Ainscough made a lasting contribution in his next appearance against Harlequins RL at the Twickenham Stoop, in which he and Amos Roberts scored late in the match to give Wigan their first home win of the 2009 Super League season.

[26] The brief hiatus broke the very next game, however, as Ainscough (who had been omitted from the initial nineteen-man teamsheet) was called up late to replace a tonsillitis-stricken George Carmont.

He personally ran-in four tries to secure a 26–40 victory against Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue, to the praise of commentators in the British mainstream national newspapers, and drawing comparisons to the Wigan legend, Martin Offiah.

[30] In a pre-match interview before the Magic Weekend in Round 12, St Helens coach Mick Potter stated he was a target for high kicks, with the belief that Ainscough's opposite winger Ade Gardner, the leading try scorer in 2008's Super League XIII, would put him under pressure.

After losing his place, Ainscough continued to play in the reserves, although in August it was confirmed he had suffered scaphoid wrist damage, and as a result would possibly be out for the rest of the 2009 season.

[34] Before the 2010 season started, Wigan signed a dual registration agreement with Co-operative Championship side Widnes for Ainscough and his team-mate, Liam Farrell.