After setting a new Six Nations record for tackles, Alex Mann is eyeing a first Championship win since 2023. 

There has been steady progress from Wales throughout the Championship, with Mann a standout performer. 

He took that to new heights as Wales fell to a narrow 27-17 defeat to Ireland in Dublin last weekend, setting a new record for tackles. 

The Cardiff star made 32 of Wales’ 240 tackles surpassing the previous record of 31, held by both Guilhem Guirado and Luke Charteris. 

Speaking following the encounter, Mann said: “I just try and do my job, really. 

“The way I look at it, I’ve gotta do my job for the person next to me, for the coaches. I have a job to do when I go out there.” 

“So I give everything I’ve got when I go out on the pitch. That’s where we hold ourselves now (being strong in defence) 

“We’re all listening to each other. We’re all working for each other. The person next to you, who you know, is putting their body on the line for you. 

“So it’s an exciting thing for us in both attack and defence. It’s pretty exciting, and it’s something to look forward to.” 

It was also an impressive afternoon for fellow Cardiff back-row star James Botham, who bagged a try in the encounter. 

“Yeah, it’s brilliant,” continued Mann on the strength that has been shown in Wales’ back-row. 

“We all get on really well as well. The competition is really good. Sometimes you play, sometimes you don’t, but I think it only makes you better. So, yeah, it’s only positive, I think, for me.” 

“There’s some quality back-row players in Wales, there’s no doubt about that. It’s just improving and seeing where we go with it.”

Now, all focus is on Super Saturday and a Principality Stadium encounter against Italy, still riding a wave of jubilation following their first victory over England. 

Mann added: “100% (we’ve got that confidence to win). 

“Like I’ve said, we’ve been going through every game wanting to win and hoping to win.

“So, especially at home, last game of the Six Nations, I think that’s pretty exciting for us, in Cardiff. So we’ll give everything we got to get that win.”