On Tuesday they were both named for the first time in the Wales Senior Squad by Warren Gatland and a few days later they both put pen to paper on long-term deals to stay at the Arms Park.
And they will both be looking to end the week on a high when they face Racing 92 in Cardiff Rugby’s final Investec Champions Cup match in Paris this weekend. They both feature in a side that shows seven changes from the team beaten at home by Harlequins in Round 3.
It will certainly be a shot to nothing for the Welsh region, who this week had 10 players named in Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad. One of those 10, full back Cam Winnett, also signed a contract extension recently as head coach Matt Sherratt ring-fences his top young talent.
Both Mann and Martin have progressed through the player pathway at their home region and won honours at U20 level. Aberdare-born Mann has made 10 appearances to date this season and currently tops the United Rugby Championship tackle count.
Mackenzie Martin in action against the Dragons
” It is crucial that we retain our best young players as we continue to rebuild, and Alex has been a standout for us this year. We were delighted to see his form recognised with an international call up this week and we are delighted he has also extended his contract,” said Sherratt.
“He has been excellent on both sides of the ball, is a great professional and is hungry to improve.”
Having been on Cardiff City’s books as a central defender in his younger days, Mann joined the Cardiff Rugby academy as a 16-year-old. He went on to captain Wales U20 for two seasons and made his first team debut against Harlequins in 2021.
“As someone who came into the academy at 16 and progressed through the ranks, I feel really privileged to sign a new contract with the club. I’m really grateful to all the coaches and staff who have believed in me and helped me get to this point,” said Mann.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the start of the season and the way it has gone for me. Having been given the opportunity all I want to do now is to continue working hard with my teammates and try to improve each day.”
While Mann is 22, Martin is even younger. The 20-year-old burst onto the scene this season, making his first team debut from the bench in a dramatic 31-24 victory over the Stormers in November. He has made six appearances since then.
“Mackenzie has the raw ingredients that you simply cannot coach in terms of his size, physicality and explosive power. He has made a big impact in a short amount of time but what has impressed me most is the way he has conducted himself within the environment,” added Sherratt.
“He is taking everything in and working hard with the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Ellis Jenkins and Thomas Young to fully understand what it takes to be a professional both on and off the pitch.”
Having learned his rugby at Caerau Ely, Glamorgan Wanderers and Cardiff & Vale College, he spent the past two seasons in the Wales U20 set-up and honing his skills in the Cardiff RFC side playing in the Indigo Premiership.
“I’m ecstatic to sign my first professional contract with my home town club. It’s just amazing and a great honour to put on the jersey,” said Martin.
“I’m really happy and proud of the way the season has gone so far. From a personal perspective it’s been massive for me to get a run of games.
“From a collective point of view, we are also really growing as a group, playing a good brand of rugby and working hard for each other. The club means everything to me really, I’ve been here since I was 16 and every opportunity I’ve had is because of the coaches here backing me.”
