SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 3 hrs
Upcoming predictions and previews
Six Nations | Group Stage
Feb 15, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Scotland
23-26
Wales
Hogg (10'), Hamilton (80')
FT
Webb (34'), Davies (65')

Jake Ball ready for "biggest grudge match" in Six Nations opener

:Headline: Jake Ball ready for 'biggest grudge match' in Six Nations opener: ID:202663: from db_amp
Ahead of the Six Nations showdown between the two sides in Cardiff, Jake Ball insists that his loyalties lie completely with Wales despite his English roots.

Jake Ball has insisted that he is ready to establish himself as the new enforcer in Warren Gatland's Wales side ahead of next week's Six Nations showdown with England.

The 23-year-old was born in England and raised in Australia, but he opted to represent the Red Dragons due to his Welsh father.

Having now nailed down his loyalties, Ball is hoping to help his national side overcome England in "the biggest grudge match" in world rugby in five days' time.

"England is the biggest grudge match," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "The history is there and everyone wants you to get stuck into them.

"Rugby is a religion here and, if you ask me what nationality I am, I would say 100 per cent Welsh. Obviously I was born in England, but my father was brought up here and we always watched Wales on TV. Me and my missus have made a home here in Wales.

"We've got a little one - Amelia-Marie, who's Welsh as well - a dog, and we're happy. I've made a decision to represent Wales and I consider myself Welsh now."

Scarlets forward Ball started Wales's Tests against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium last November.

amp_article__202663 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2015-02-01 12:43:46:
html db last update - 2015-02-01 12:43:46 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Warren Gatland

Click here for more stories about Wales

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .