Reasons to be cheerful for Mann as a big autumn with Cardiff and Wales lies ahead

ONE of Alex Mann's goals for this season is to try and smile a bit more, and he certainly has good reason to do so at the minute.

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Alex Mann has started the season in fine style for Cardiff Rugby

The Cardiff Rugby flanker has just been named in the Wales squad for the autumn internationals on the back of a Player of the Match display in last weekend's BKT URC victory over Dragons RFC at Rodney Parade.

So plenty of cause for celebration. Yet, as he readily acknowledges, that doesn't always come easily to him.

"I am not very good at enjoying stuff," admits the 23-year-old from Aberdare.

"I think that's what I've got to learn to do more, especially when we win, because that's what we work for.

"I do find it hard to celebrate. I guess I will grow out of it. I will try and smile a bit more. Life's too short." Mann's serious-minded approach stems from his burning desire to be the absolute best he can be.

"It's a positive, but sometimes it can be a negative because that's all I think about. Even in the house, my mother is like 'What's the matter with you?'

"I do take it very seriously. I am very competitive. It's just in me. If I was playing for Aberdare, I would be the same.

"I just want to do the best I can, I want to play well, I want to do stuff for the team. I just feel I am there to do a job, and I've got to make sure I do that job first.

"The next game is always the most important thing for me, rather than enjoying the moment.