Mann back for injury-hit Cardiff at Benetton

Wales flanker Alex Mann returns for injury-hit Cardiff at Benetton in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup on Saturday (17:30 BST).

The 24-year-old makes his first club appearance since impressing in the Six Nations but the Blue and Blacks are stretched after a tour to South Africa in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Cardiff, whose priority is a play-off push in the URC, give first starts to lock Evan Rees and centre Elijah Evans.

Former Leinster loose-head prop Ed Byrne is in the starting line-up in his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Wales hooker Evan Lloyd, fresh from signing a new contract, is on the bench as back-row cover after playing there in age-grade rugby.

Cardiff lost nine more players to injury in South Africa, when they lost heavily to Bulls and claimed a losing bonus point against Sharks.

A planned return for wing Josh Adams is shelved due to a niggle, while five senior locks are out injured.

Cardiff are hopeful that second-row forwards Josh McNally and George Nott will be fit to feature in the URC run-in, Wales lock Teddy Williams is getting closer to a return from a dislocated foot and there is the possibility of a short-term loan signing.

However, for this week Rory Thornton is the only specialist - with academy prospect Rees, a back-row forward by trade, his partner.

The Blue and Blacks face a tough test against a Benetton side who have made Europe a priority but captain Liam Belcher is relishing the challenge.

"We took a bit of a battering out in South Africa in terms of injuries but we are here to win games and kick on," said the hooker.

"It's the part of the season when you do get stretched, especially with international boys coming back with battered bodies.

"And if you had said in June or July that we would be in this position in the league and in the round of 16 in the cup then I would have bitten your hand off."

While Cardiff are stretched, Benetton feature 10 players from Italy's Six Nations squad, including influential captain Michele Lamaro at number eight and world-class centre Tommaso Menoncello.

Loose-head prop Rhys Barratt is on the bench fresh from signing a new contract that is described as "long-term" by the club.

The 23-year-old was named as Cardiff's breakthrough player last season and has featured 14 times in 2025-26.

"I am really hungry to continue that development and Cardiff is definitely the right environment for me to do that," said Barratt, who came through at Llantwit Fardre.

Benetton: Smith; Ratave, Menoncello, Marin, Mendy; Umaga, Uren; Gallo, Bernasconi, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Zuliani, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.

Replacements: Maile, Aminu, Pasquali Favretto, Fa'aso'o, Izekor, Garbisi, Odogwu.

Cardiff: I Lloyd; Grady, E Evans, B Thomas, Beetham; Sheedy, Bevan; Byrne, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, E Rees, Thornton, Mann, D Thomas, Lawrence.

Replacements: D Hughes, Barratt, Wainwright, de la Rua, E Lloyd, I Davies, Jennings, Winnett.

Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)

Assistant Referees: Pierre Bru & Flavien Hourquet (France)

TMO: Julien Castaignede (France)