Jake Ball’s return to the Scarlets has been a story of homecoming, resilience, and gratitude. The 34-year-old second row rejoined the Llanelli side over the summer after a short-lived retirement, and his impact has been immediate upon the Welsh region.
“It was an opportunity to come back and play where I started my career. For me, that was a big part of it,” Ball reflects. “The club gave me everything when I look back. They gave me my shot to play and that earnt me international honours. Now I want to deliver some performances to say thank you.”
Ball’s career has spanned two continents. After 130 appearances and 50 caps for Wales, which including a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019 and appearances across two World Cups, the towering lock then spent a Super Rugby season with Western Force in Perth, Australia, before four years with Green Rockets Tokatsu in Japan. The experience broadened his game and perspective.
“The game is quick out there, no doubt about that. It’s a different style of play. They don’t kick the ball out. It was a bit of an adjustment, but an exciting brand of rugby to play,” he said. “I think I’ve grown a lot and improved as a player through my time out there. I did a fair bit of coaching over there which I thoroughly enjoyed, creating lineout systems. Experiencing Japan and playing over there was awesome and I learned a lot.”
Nutrition and health have also been central to Ball’s late-career revival. Standing 6ft 6in and weighing 19st, he has become meticulous about his diet and performance. Such precise off-field learnings has helped gear up Ball for a hopeful Wales squad return, as Steve Tandy could well utilise the lock throughout the 2026 Six Nations. It would mark Ball’s first Wales Test since the 2021 Six Nations win against Italy, as his Japanese venture then ruled him out of contention.
“What you eat affects certain markers which also affects performance. For a long period, I wasn’t functioning at my best. At the time, you think it’s normal, but certainly for me it wasn’t normal. I didn’t realise that until I started changing things,” he explains.
“I used to train flat out, do a session and then I’d feel really tired and want to go to sleep. Sometimes I’d eat certain meals and that would make me feel tired. I guess I started really paying attention to that and changing and altering things, structuring my day the right way and timing carbohydrates. I started eating a lot of eggs, cholesterol, red meat, a lot of Greek yoghurt and quite a lot of fruit like berries.”
The results have been evident. Ball was a standout in last Friday’s 21-17 URC Welsh derby victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park, finishing as the game’s top tackler with 19, and helping the Scarlets defend their narrow lead in a tight contest. However, Ball’s return is also about family. After years separated from his wife and children due to Covid and his stint in Japan, he values having them close again in Wales.
“That was a huge part for me. My boys are five and seven now. They came out and watched me play once in Japan, but they weren’t of an age where they could remember anything. They are both playing rugby now at Loughor. They are loving it.”
Looking ahead, Ball is focused on the festive fixtures, including the Boxing Day Welsh derby against the Ospreys. But his approach remains grounded in enjoying the game and giving his all.
“I’ll play as long as I enjoy it. For me, that’s the biggest thing. If I’m enjoying it, playing well and it’s the best thing for me and my family, then I’ll keep playing. That’s what I think it is all about,” he says.
From humble beginnings as a virtual unknown in 2012 to international honours, a spell in Japan, and now a second act at the Scarlets, Ball’s story is one of dedication, gratitude, and living the game to the fullest. And judging by his performances, the best of Jake Ball may still be ahead.
EDITORS PICKS:
- URC Round 7 Recap: Dragons finally end URC losing streak with victory over Connacht
- PREM Rugby: Team of the Week for Round 7
- “Noah Caluori” – Five England hopefuls who impressed from the PREM weekend
- Ex-England international poised for Ireland switch after Borthwick fallout
- BREAKING: Kevin Sinfield lands shock new job in rugby
- The Best Rugby Scrummagers Of All-Time (Ranked 15-1)
- These Are the Five Biggest Humans to Ever Play Rugby (And It’s Absolutely Ridiculous)
- RFU confirms England U19s will face Japan schoolboy All-Stars in March
