Wales lock Jake Ball will be on the look-out for a Super Rugby AU club, moving to Australia to be reunited with his family including a newborn son he’s yet to see.
The 29-year-old, who has 49 caps since making his Test debut in 2014, has been separated from his family for much of the year.
His pregnant wife Christie returned to Australia to give birth to their fourth child, a boy named Max, in November.
Ball was born in England but moved to Perth as a teenager.
He spent a year training with the Western Force and as a 21-year-old was picked up by Welsh club Scarlets before going on to play for Wales in two World Cups through his father’s heritage.
After nine years in Wales, where he has established himself as the regular lock partner for Test captain Alun Wyn Jones, Ball said it was time to put his family first.
“It has been a difficult decision to make but one I have made for the family,” Ball told Scarlets website.
“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 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.”
While ineligible to play for the Wallabies, Ball would be a good fit for the Waratahs, who are losing Test locks Rob Simmons and Ned Hanigan, who are moving overseas.