From Retirement to Redemption? Jake Ball in Talks for Sensational Scarlets Reunion

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Jake Ball, one of Welsh rugby’s most recognisable locks, is in talks for a sensational return to the Scarlets, with sources indicating the club is keen to bring back the player who became a cornerstone of their pack and a fan favourite. Ball, who announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the current season, has spent recent years with Japan’s NEC Green Rockets after leaving Wales in 2021 to reunite with his family in Australia, but his abrupt departure from Japan late last year has fuelled speculation of a comeback.

Ball’s rugby journey began in Australia and took off when he moved to Wales at 21, eventually racking up 133 appearances for the Scarlets and earning 50 caps for Wales, including playing a pivotal role in the 2019 Grand Slam and World Cup semi-final run. In November, Ball cited family and his new supplement business, Veritroo, as reasons for stepping away from the sport, but he left the Green Rockets before the season’s end, with the club confirming his exit was for family reasons; “I have returned to Australia for family reasons.

I would like to wish all the players and staff of NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu all the best for this season and the future. I would like to thank the CREW for your support over the last three years”.

Earlier this month, Ball sparked excitement among fans by posting on X, formerly Twitter, a photo of new Adidas boots with the caption: “This isn’t just about boots.

It’s about chapters. Poll below.” The poll offered the choices: ‘Close this chapter’ or ‘Write one more’, hinting at a potential return to the field. The Scarlets, meanwhile, are reportedly evaluating other second row options as well, particularly in light of Alex Craig’s confirmed move to Glasgow at the end of the season, but Ball’s possible return would be a major boost for the region.

Since leaving Wales, Ball has undergone a dramatic physical transformation, focusing on a diet of “real food” and eliminating processed junk, which he credits for his improved health and fitness. “Physically, I’m in a great place,” Ball told WalesOnline in December. “I used to be quite bad, I thought I was eating healthily at the time but I still used to eat a lot of highly processed food. Looking back at pictures, as well. I look back at quite a lot of pictures of me and I’m quite swollen in the face and carrying quite a lot of fluid and stuff like that”.

Ball’s legacy includes being part of the Scarlets’ 2016-17 Pro12 title-winning squad and helping Wales achieve some of their greatest modern triumphs. His experience in Japan’s Rugby League One, where he played 32 matches for the Green Rockets, has added a new dimension to his game, and his leadership qualities remain highly valued.

The Welsh Rugby Union’s 60-cap rule had previously made him ineligible for national selection, but with the landscape of Welsh rugby evolving and Ball’s form and fitness at a high level, a return to both club and potentially country remains on the cards.