Six Nations 2026: Wales make progress, but winning is next step

Cardiff flanker Alex Mann typified the Welsh defensive display against Ireland as Tandy’s side made more than 240 tackles.

It was not just the number, it was the impact of the rearguard resistance, demonstrated by a thunderous tackle by Eddie James on Garry Ringrose.

Tackle statistics often differ as the tally is frequently revised after a match. If Mann made 32 or 33 tackles depending on which facts and figures you follow, that would be a Six Nations record surpassing France hooker Guilhem Guirado and Wales lock Luke Charteris, who both managed 31 in one game.

Mann’s fellow Cardiff flanker James Botham, lock Dafydd Jenkins and captain Lake were not far behind in the tackle charts.

Tandy has only picked Mann and Lake to start in all eight matches in his era and praised his dogged back rower.

“Manny [Alex Mann] has been outstanding,” said Tandy.

“He doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves, there’s always probably question marks over him whereas we see the player both sides of the ball.

“He’s not the biggest man in the world, but he’s growing as a leader as well and only going to get better.”

Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts hailed the defensive effort.

“I thought they were magnificent,” Roberts told ITV.

“We know how physical Ireland are, but Wales stopped that green wave dead in its tracks on many occasions and they can take huge pride from that.

“We’ve talked about Wales being a bit soft, maybe, in the past year, teams finding it easy to score easy tries against them.

“This was very different, that level of defensive intensity was brilliant.”

Tandy also pointed to the improved discipline with Wales only conceding seven penalties, despite being under pressure.