Jake Ball to return to Australia at end of the season

Scarlets and Wales second row Jake Ball will be heading back to Australia at the end of the season, leaving Scarlets to be with his family in Australia, effectively ending his international career.

The 29-year-old said he had made the decision for family reasons after his wife Christie gave birth to their fourth child in Australia in November.

“It has been a difficult decision to make but one I have made for the family,” said Jake. “My wife was expecting our fourth child and with Covid around and players having to be in bubbles and everything, we made the decision that she and the kids should go home to have some family help and support around her.

“Max was born last month; there have been Zoom calls and things, but I haven’t seen him yet and it has been difficult. As the season goes on, it would be pretty tough of me to ask Christie to come back here away from her family again.

“It has been a fantastic nine seasons I have been here. I love the Scarlets and playing with Wales has been unbelievable and something I will never forget.

“It has been a massive honour to represent my country, but at the end of the day I made a huge sacrifice in staying behind for a year without my family. I have four kids now and I won’t have seen them for close on a year.”

Ball has won 49 caps since his 2014 debut, becoming one of Wales' frontline tight-five forwards.

Head coach Glenn Delaney paid tribute to Ball, confirming the Scarlets' full respect for the lock forward's decision to put his family first.

"As a club, we fully respect Jake's decision. Family is a massive part of the Scarlets and Jake has sacrificed a huge amount being away from Christie and his children for so long," said Delaney.

"He has been a wonderful servant for the Scarlets, an outstanding player, a great bloke around the group and has been a fantastic mentor to the young players who are coming through.

"You saw by his performance against the Ospreys on Boxing Day what playing for the Scarlets means to him and let's hope we can have some supporters back into Parc y Scarlets by the end of the season to give him the send-off he deserves."