Alex Mann (born 6 January 2002) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for United Rugby Championship club Cardiff and the Wales national team.[1]

Club career

Cardiff

Mann began playing rugby with local club Aberdare RFC.[2] Mann was named in the Cardiff academy squad for the 2021–22 season.[3] He made his debut for Cardiff in the second round of the 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup against Harlequins, coming on as a replacement.[4]

Ahead of the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship season, Mann signed a development contract with Cardiff, before signing a senior contract on 17 January 2024.[5][6]

International career

Wales U18 and U20

In 2018, Mann was selected for Wales U18 for their tour to South Africa.[7]

Mann was named as captain for Wales U20 for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[8] He retained the captaincy for the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[9] During the match against England, Mann received a red card, and was subsequently banned for three weeks.[10] Mann was unavailable for the 2022 U20 Six Nations Summer Series due to injury.[11]

Wales

On 16 January 2024, Mann was named in the Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations Championship.[12] Mann made his debut on 3 February 2024 against Scotland, coming off the bench and scoring a try, with his second try coming seven days later in his second Wales appearance, a 16-14 loss to England at Twickenham.[13][14]

Personal life

Mann was part of the Cardiff City F.C. academy for two years, playing as a centre–back, before returning to rugby at age 14.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Alex Mann". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b Thomas, Simon (15 June 2021). "Meet Alex Mann, Wales' new young rugby captain people will hear a lot more about". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Academy Squad". Cardiff Blues. 5 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Heineken Champions Cup: Harlequins 43-17 Cardiff Rugby". BBC Sport. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Seven academy stars sign contracts at CAP". Cardiff Rugby. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ "New Wales squad flanker Mann signs Cardiff deal". BBC Sport. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Five Cardiff Blues youngsters selected for Wales under-18". Cardiff Rugby. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Mann captains Wales U20s for Six Nations". BBC Sport. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Wales U20s name squad for Six Nations". BBC Sport. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  10. ^ Orders, Mark (3 March 2022). "Wales U20 captain Mann banned for red card that left him distraught". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Wales name men's squad for U20 Six Nations Summer Series - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Jenkins leads Wales as Rees-Zammit heads to NFL". BBC Sport. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Scotland survive stunning Wales comeback". BBC Sport. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  14. ^ Kitson, Robert (10 February 2024). "Fraser Dingwall try helps edge England to comeback win against Wales". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
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