Jack Mann’s journey to earning his first call-up to the Scotland rugby squad is a testament to resilience, as he emerges from a challenging period marked by two years of injury setbacks. The Glasgow back-row player has faced an uphill battle to return to top form, but his perseverance has paid off with a spot in Scotland’s Six Nations squad.
A Difficult Road Back
Mann’s road to redemption began in December 2022 when he made his debut for Glasgow Warriors against Bath in the Challenge Cup. However, a series of injuries derailed his career, and he was sidelined until November of the following year, when he finally returned to the pitch to face Scarlets.
Reflecting on his journey, the 25-year-old admitted that being out for such an extended period led to moments of doubt. “You start to have those thoughts about, will I be able to get back to the standard that I was at?” Mann shared with the BBC’s Scotland Rugby Podcast. “There were definitely some dark times during that, but I’m very lucky that I’ve got a great support network around me, with my family and friends at Glasgow, so they managed to help me through that time.”
A New Beginning
Despite the challenges, Mann’s perseverance during the absence of Jack Dempsey has caught the attention of Scotland’s coaches. The young player has impressed during his time with Glasgow and earned a well-deserved call-up to represent his country in the Six Nations.
While he’s thrilled about the opportunity, Mann is focused on contributing to the squad’s success rather than simply basking in the recognition. “I’m obviously buzzing to have been named in the squad, but that’s not the final step,” Mann explained. “You get named in the squad to contribute what you bring to the game, to that squad, and that’s what I’ll be looking at.”
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, Mann is determined to continue proving himself on the international stage. If he gets the opportunity to play in the Six Nations, he’s eager to make the most of it. “If I can get a game or two or three or however many games out of that, amazing.”
Jack Mann’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and the impact of a strong support system in overcoming adversity. As he embarks on this new chapter of his career with Scotland, the future looks bright for this talented and determined player.