Alex Mann (rugby union)

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]

Alex Mann
Date of birth (2002-01-06) 6 January 2002 (age 22)
Place of birthMerthyr Tydfil, Wales
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb)
SchoolSt. John the Baptist School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Cardiff
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Cardiff 12 (0)
Correct as of 16 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–2022 Wales U20 9 (15)
2024– Wales 5 (10)
Correct as of 16 March 2024

Club career edit

Cardiff edit

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 edit

Wales U18 and U20 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

  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.

External links edit