Jake Ball, born in Ascot and raised in Australia from age 16, joined Llanelli's Scarlets in 2012 after stints with Western Force. Over nine seasons he became a mainstay in the lock position, helping the team secure the Pro12 title in 2017 and reach the European Champions Cup semi‑final the next year.

Ball's international career launched in 2014 when he earned his first cap for Wales through his father’s heritage. He was part of the 2019 Grand Slam squad and the World Cup semi‑finalists that same year, partnering with Alun Wyn Jones in a formidable forward partnership that earned a brief, controversial clash on a Six Nations training ground in 2021.

After leaving Scarlets in 2021 for a brief Japanese spell, Ball returned to Wales, where he played his final Test in March 2021 against Italy in Rome. Wales clinched the Six Nations title that season, and Ball’s retirement follows a lineage of Grand Slam‑winning internationals such as Liam Williams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny.

With 34 years of professional play, Ball leaves a legacy of championship success and international grit. His departure marks the end of an era for Scarlets lock‑play and signals a shift in Wales’ forward line as the national side prepares for the next cycle. Coaches will now focus on developing younger locks to fill the void.