MACKENZIE MARTIN has shown already in his fledgling career that he has a lot to offer Wales as just the sort of explosive ball-carrier they crave. However, he intends his influence to extend further.
The 20-year-old No 8, who burst into the national side after only nine regional appearances this season, hopes he can be a beacon for more aspirational black players too.
While Martin hails from the tough Cardiff suburb of Ely, his great grandfather was a Windrush Jamaican and he was brought up on his nan’s Caribbean delicacies of jerk chicken and curried goat.
It is a lineage which he is proud of and he wants to be a role model for others with similar back stories to believe the Wales shirt can be for them too.
“Taulupe Faletau was the only black person who played for Wales when I was growing up. There’s more now but there’s still loads of communities out there that have amazing players who maybe don’t get the opportunity,” says Martin.
“I don’t know
