Alex Mann Breaks Silence on Etzebeth Gouge, Says He Has Moved On

The Wales flanker addresses the episode to shift attention to Cardiff’s Challenge Cup match against Racing 92.

Overview

An independent panel in December handed South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth a 12-week ban for contact with Mann’s eye in the 79th minute of a 73-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.
The disciplinary process cleared Mann of any wrongdoing and rejected social-media claims that he had instigated the clash.
Etzebeth later apologized publicly and posted video claiming he reacted after being struck, a view the panel did not accept in reaching its decision.
Mann said the online attention was intense and called some accusations untrue, emphasizing that he has put the incident behind him.
He returns this weekend for Cardiff against Racing 92 in the EPCR Challenge Cup at Arms Park, with head coach Corneil van Zyl praising his rapid development.