Education
Loughborough University.
Loughborough University.
He was capped for Wales at rugby union, and Great Britain, and Wales in rugby league. Mantle began his rugby career at a young age, playing for the Wales School team As an adult he played with Bargoed before switching to first class team Newport.
While representing Newport, Mantle was selected for his two Welsh rugby union caps.
His first was when he was selected as part of the touring Wales team to Africa. Mantle played in the early games of the tour, including wins over East Africa in Nairobi and Boland at Wellington.
His first international was against South Africa in Durban in 1964, but Wales were outclassed and lost 24-3 in a one-sided match. Mantle played in the later games on the tour, including matches against Northern Transvaal and Orange Free State.
He would later play for the Great Britain rugby league team
John Mantle played Left-prop, id est (that is) number 8 in Saint Helens" 2-25 defeat to the 1975 NSWRFL season premiers, Eastern Suburbs Roosters in the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday 29 June 1976. He was coach of the Cardiff City Blue Dragons. International games played
Wales rugby union
England 1964
South Africa 1964
County Cup final appearances
John Mantle played Right-second-row, id est (that is) number 12, in Saint Helens" 2-2 draw with Warrington in the 1967 Lancashire Cup final during the 1967-1968 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 7 October 1967 (he was replaced by Kel Coslett in the replay), and played Left-second-row, id est (that is) number 11, in the 4-7 defeat by Leigh in the 1970 Lancashire Cup final during the 1970-1971 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 28 November 1970.
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final appearances
John Mantle played Right-second-row, id est (that is) number 12, in Saint Helens"s 0-4 defeat by Castleford in the 1965 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1965-1966 season at Knowsley Road, Saint Helens on Tuesday 14 December 1965, played Left-second-row, id est (that is) number 11, in Saint Helens" 4-7 defeat by Wigan in the 1968 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1968-1969 season at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 17 December 1968. played Right-second-row in the 5-9 defeat by Leeds in the 1970 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1970-1971 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Tuesday 15 December 1970, played Right-second-row in the 8-2 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1971 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1971-1972 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Tuesday 14 December 1971, and played Left-prop, id est (that is) number 8, in the 22-2 victory over Dewsbury in the 1975 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1975-1976 season at Knowsley Road, Saint Helens on Tuesday 16 December 1975.