The Wales second-row is back in Scarlet colours after a hugely impressive World Cup campaign with Wales. Ball can’t wait for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 clash but has warned his side they will be coming up against a dangerous Dragons outfit.
“For me, these are the best games of the year; a lot of people watching and for a lot of players this is where you make your name,” said Ball. “It is going to be an exciting period ahead.
“You run out onto the field in front of a full house, you get that little bit of extra edge. I am sure there will be a big crowd at Rodney Parade on Saturday and there will be a big crowd for the Ospreys game down here on Boxing Day.
“We are under no illusion this game will be a lot different on the weekend. The Dragons will be pretty pumped up for this one.
“The Dragons are a much-improved team; they have been playing at tempo and playing some exciting stuff. We all know what the challenge will be.”
The Scarlets are fourth in Conference B of the PRO14 a mere two points off the play-off places while they are also in contention to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup. And Ball is hopeful his side can challenge for silverware this season.
“We want to be playing in the knockout games, that is the goal,” he said. “It is still early doors in the season, but hopefully we can push for that.
“When we have done well, particularly the season when we won the league, we have done well during the international periods and that has been the case so far this season. The squad depth is great down here at the moment.
“You look at the second row, we have got a lot of big units in there and also that ability to rotate, which is a key element to the game now. If the tight five is playing week-in, week-out you get tired. To be able to rotate is key.”
