:Alex Mann (rugby union)
{{short description|Welsh rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Alex Mann
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|01|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
| height = {{convert|1.91|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|98|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school = St. John the Baptist School
| university =
| relatives =
| position = Flanker
| currentclub = Cardiff
| years1 = 2021–
| clubs1 = Cardiff
| apps1 = 30
| points1 = 25
| repyears1 = 2021–2022
| repteam1 = Wales U20
| repcaps1 = 9
| reppoints1 = 15
| repyears2 = 2024–
| repteam2 = Wales
| repcaps2 = 5
| reppoints2 = 10
}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/alex-mann|title=Alex Mann|work=Ultimate Rugby|access-date=18 December 2021}}
Club career
= Cardiff =
Mann began playing rugby with local club Aberdare RFC.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Simon |date=2021-06-15 |title=Meet Alex Mann, Wales' new young rugby captain people will hear a lot more about |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/new-young-wales-rugby-captain-20824347 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Wales Online |language=en}} Mann was named in the Cardiff academy squad for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiffblues.com/transition-squad|work=Cardiff Blues|title=Academy Squad|date=5 May 2019}} He made his debut for Cardiff in the second round of the 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup against {{Rut|Harlequins}}, coming on as a replacement.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59651049|title=Heineken Champions Cup: Harlequins 43-17 Cardiff Rugby|work=BBC Sport|date=18 December 2021|access-date=18 December 2021}}
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.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 July 2023 |title=Seven academy stars sign contracts at CAP |url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/news/seven-academy-stars-sign-contracts-at-cap |access-date=17 January 2024 |website=Cardiff Rugby}}{{Cite news |date=17 January 2024 |title=New Wales squad flanker Mann signs Cardiff deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68009909 |access-date=17 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
International career
= Wales U18 and U20 =
In 2018, Mann was selected for Wales U18 for their tour to South Africa.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 August 2019 |title=Five Cardiff Blues youngsters selected for Wales under-18 |url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/news/five-cardiff-blues-youngsters-selected-for-wales-under-18 |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Cardiff Rugby}}
Mann was named as captain for Wales U20 for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{Cite news |date=15 June 2021 |title=Mann captains Wales U20s for Six Nations |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/57453190 |access-date=17 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He retained the captaincy for the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{Cite news |date=27 January 2022 |title=Wales U20s name squad for Six Nations |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60155354 |access-date=17 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} During the match against England, Mann received a red card, and was subsequently banned for three weeks.{{Cite web |last=Orders |first=Mark |date=3 March 2022 |title=Wales U20 captain Mann banned for red card that left him distraught |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/young-wales-captain-banned-red-23277137 |access-date=17 January 2024 |website=Wales Online |language=en}} Mann was unavailable for the 2022 U20 Six Nations Summer Series due to injury.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Wales name men's squad for U20 Six Nations Summer Series - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2022/06/wales-name-mens-squad-for-u20-six-nations-summer-series/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}}
= Wales =
On 16 January 2024, Mann was named in the Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations Championship.{{Cite news |date=16 January 2024 |title=Jenkins leads Wales as Rees-Zammit heads to NFL |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67989159 |access-date=17 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite news |date=3 February 2024 |title=Scotland survive stunning Wales comeback |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68191642 |access-date=3 February 2024|work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/10/fraser-dingwall-try-helps-edge-england-to-comeback-win-against-wales|title=Fraser Dingwall try helps edge England to comeback win against Wales|website=The Guardian|last=Kitson|first=Robert|date=10 February 2024|access-date=10 February 2024}}
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.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{ItsRugby profile|49802}}
- [https://www.wru.wales/player/alex-mann/ Alex Mann] at Welsh Rugby Union
- [https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/academy-player-profile/alex-mann Cardiff Rugby Profile]
{{Cardiff Rugby squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mann, Alex}}
Category:Welsh rugby union players
Category:Cardiff Rugby players