Main Mann: Record-breaking flanker steps up for Wales

Alex Mann went into the autumn with question marks about his physicality on the international stage but the Wales flanker has provided the answer to be one of only two ever-presents under Steve Tandy.

The 24-year-old will start at blind-side flanker against Italy on Saturday in the Welsh bid to end a 15-game losing streak in the Six Nations.

Hooker Dewi Lake is the only other player to have been selected in all nine of Tandy’s XVs this season.

Mann made his Wales debut against Scotland in the 2024 Six Nations opener and started for the first time at England the following week, scoring on both occasions.

The flanker wins his 16th cap against the Azzurri and is establishing himself on the international stage.

In a hotly-contested back row department, Mann made a statement performance against Ireland in Dublin last weekend when setting a Six Nations record by making 33 tackles.

The official championship tally put him above the efforts of former Wales lock Luke Charteris in 2015 and France hooker Guilhem Guirado in 2018, both also against the Irish.

Mann’s display earned the praise of Wales assistant coach Dan Lydiate, a destructive force in his playing days.

The former Lions blind-side’s chop-tackling exploits in a Grand Slam won the player of the Six Nations award in 2012.

“He is some talent and is a young man with a hell of an engine who reads the game really well on both sides of the ball,” said Lydiate.

“He’s great to work with and his stats from last weekend were unbelievable. You’ve got to have the will and want to keep putting your body in front of people, which he has in abundance.”

With France lock Oscar Jegou suspended, it looks to be a Welsh duel to be top tackler in the Six Nations.

Mann is topping the tackle charts but Wales would love the athletic flanker to be showcasing his other strengths.

“He’s a massive ball player for us,” said Tandy. “With the game how it is now, you need forwards who can play like backs and I believe Manny can do that.

“He’s got the ability on both sides of the ball and his lineout and kick chase work is exceptional as well.”

Mann has strong competition for starts at Cardiff in the shape of James Botham, Taulupe Faletau, Alun Lawrence, Dan Thomas and Taine Basham.

Whether in red or blue and black, the flanker is kept on his toes.

“Competition is really good,” said Mann. “Sometimes you play and sometimes you don’t, that only makes you better.

Tandy has only been able to select captain Jac Morgan in one fixture after the Lions flanker suffered a dislocated shoulder when scoring against Argentina in the autumn opener.

The Gloucester-bound Ospreys forward should return for summer fixtures against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in the Nations Championship.

Wales have fielded Mann, influential number eight Aaron Wainwright, Botham, Olly Cracknell, Taine Plumtree, Josh Macleod and Harri Deaves in the Six Nations.

The legendary Faletau, Ryan Woodman, Tommy Reffell, Christ Tshiunza, Kane James, Ross Moriarty and Basham are among a glut of other options, with Deian Gwynne also shining in the Under-20s Six Nations.

Boss Tandy, a former flanker himself, has plenty to ponder.

Lydiate was part of a legendary back-row trio with Sam Warburton and Faletau that was joined by another stellar talent in Justin Tipuric.

“It’s connection. I knew what the other guys would deliver, so it’s about fitting the pieces of the puzzle together,” said Lydiate.

“When you have that synergy, what number is on your back doesn’t matter because you know what the other guys will give. You try and complement each other.

“We have gone through a bit of a transition and are figuring out who the best combinations are. We are probably still on that journey.”

Versatile Mann will make his fifth Test start of the season at blind-side – where he has exclusively started at Cardiff in 2025-26 – but is comfortable at open-side.

“He is a very good rugby player and you know what he will deliver no matter the number on his back,” said Lydiate.

“We’ve got Jac to come back into the fold, who is world class. The boys at the moment are setting the standards that others have to go higher than if they are to wrestle the jerseys off them.”