Mackenzie Martin: New Wales Six Nations squad member signs first Cardiff contract
- Published
Mackenzie Martin is a former Wales Under-20s international
New Wales Six Nations squad number eight Mackenzie Martin has signed his first Cardiff senior contract.
The duration of the 20-year-old's deal has not been announced, but Cardiff say it is "long term".
After seven senior appearances, Martin joined fellow uncapped players Alex Mann, Evan Lloyd and Cameron Winnett in an 11-strong Cardiff contingent in the 34-man Wales Six Nations squad.
Martin said he was "ecstatic" to sign the deal with his home-city team.
"I'm really happy and proud of the way the season has gone so far," he said. "
From a personal perspective it's been massive for me to get a run of games and I can only thank the coaches for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.
"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.
"I've learned a lot in four, five years of being here both as a person and as a rugby player. I couldn't be more grateful."
Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt has also seen Mann and Winnett commit to his side.
"As I keep saying, retaining our young talent at the club is essential as we rebuild," said Sherratt.
"Mackenzie has 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.
"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."
Can they ignore the politics to get to the truth? Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie return for the second series of the tense thriller, Vigil
'Toxic masculinity is good for men': Comedian Ellie Taylor puts her controversial statement to the test...
