Mackenzie Martin: Cardiff back row hoping Dragons loan can reignite career

Martin started looking for a fresh start when Cardiff agreed a new contract with Wales and Lions legend Taulupe Faletau in May.

“Toby [Faletau] is the ‘GOAT’ [greatest of all time] and I would have done the same thing and re-signed him if I was Cardiff,” said Martin.

“The lack of game time and people out of position playing ahead of me was tough to take, so I just thought I needed new ideas, fresh faces.

“They don’t see me as an academy prospect here, they just see me as another one of the players and that’s what I wanted.”

Martin has gone from being a rival to ‘the GOAT’ to challenging another Wales international in Dragons talisman Aaron Wainwright.

All five of Martin’s caps were won alongside Wainwright and he hopes they can join forces in club colours.

“It’s not easy [competing] with ‘Waino’ but we have a good relationship and have done a couple of Wales camps together,” he said.

“We know our strengths and weaknesses and have to compete with each other, but that just makes us both and the squad better.

“Waino can play across the back row and I can play six or eight, so I am sure they can work us both in if they want to.

“After the season I had, I just want to play. Of course I want to start as many games as I can, but I am not stressing.

“I am just happy to be in a good environment where they respect me and want me here. That’s all I can ask for and the games will come as long as I stay fit and train well.”