As Wales prepare to open their 2026 Six Nations campaign against England at Twickenham, the Cardiff back-rower is clear - if the battle on Saturday descends into niggle and needle, he will feel right at home.
Mann was happy to mix it and get under the skin of South African Cyclopes Eben Etzebeth and he’ll be fine with the role of getting under the skin of England’s cartoonish show pony, Henry Pollock.
For Mann, edge and abrasion are not unwanted side-effects of his game; they are part of the point.
Asked whether England’s back row contains players he could irritate, his answer was blunt.
“Yeah, I think I'll try my best. They're really good players, we know that, but I don't really think we put too much energy into that.
“It's all on us now and what we can do rather than what they're bringing. That's the exciting bit for us as a group.”
That balance — acknowledging the opponent while refusing to be distracted by them — is Mann’s mindset as he and the rest of the Wales squad try to forget the current shambles that is the domestic game.
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He is well aware of the spotlight England’s exhibitionist powerhouse Pollock attracts, from his shock of blond hair to his on-field histrionics, but Mann sees that as fuel rather than threat.
“I quite like trying to get under people's skin and I'm sure people try to do it to me as well. It is what it is and I’m just looking forward to what's ahead.”
It is a statement that sums up the 24-year-old’s rugby persona. Physical, confrontational and emotionally charged, Mann has already shown he can thrive in hostile environments.
Twickenham, where he scored a try in a 16-14 defeat two years ago, remains a vivid memory.
“I can remember scoring there, I will always remember because it's a really big occasion, it means a lot to the Welsh people and the Welsh fans. So, we know that it's our job now to go and put a performance in for Wales.”
That try did not come with victory, but the occasion left its mark. Mann insists Wales arrive this time with quiet confidence, even if external expectations could hardly be lower.
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“It’s 100% we have that inner belief as a group. It doesn't really matter what other people say outside of this group because that's irrelevant to us.
“We know what we can do and the calibre of player we have got so I think we have that self-confidence that we can go and put a performance in and turn teams over. That's the exciting bit for us.”
Mann’s enjoyment of the game’s darker arts was thrust into the global spotlight in November when Springboks legendEtzebeth was sent off for gouging Mann’s eye, an incident that led to a 12-week ban.
The Cardiff flanker suddenly found himself at the centre of a storm he neither sought nor relished.
“It was pretty mad,” he later admitted.
“I think I was getting sent clips of it every 30 seconds, to be honest with you.
“I didn’t really think about it. It is what it is. I didn’t really think twice, I just got on with my stuff and focused on what I have been doing.”
Despite online accusations the Wales flanker had provoked the confrontation, claims that were later dismissed, Mann never wavered.
“Obviously, it was frustrating because it wasn’t the truth,” he said
“I knew the truth and it was clear to see. There’s not much more I can say on that.”
Back row is an area of enviable strength for England, meaning Northampton folk hero Pollock is actually set to start on the bench on Saturday.
If and when he comes in, then Mann could find himself up against Pollock with either a No.6 or No.7 on his back.
“There is a difference - mainly around the set piece,” says Mann.
“But it’s just another number on your back for me, really. I just go out and give it all I got, whatever position I'm playing.”
That mentality feeds into a Wales squad attempting to block out off-field noise and outside judgment.
“I just don't really take much notice to be honest with you. My job is to go and play rugby to the best of my ability and that's where I base myself. As long as I'm giving everything I have got for that jersey, that's all that matters to me.”
Which brings the focus back to Twickenham, England, and the collision course with Pollock.
Mann has never faced him before, but he is intrigued by the Lions’ player’s persona rather than intimidated.
“I would say so, yeah, but I think we're both niggly, so yeah, it should be interesting, so yeah, some of the battle I'm looking forward to.”
So will the theatrics bother him?
“Yeah, that's him, and fair play to him… yeah he's obviously a good player but, yeah, I know what I can do as well.”
