Wayne Pivac’s side face Georgia at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday in the second clash of the new tournament.
Lock Ball is exactly the sort of aggressive player Wales will need to combat a physical Los Lelos side who thrive at scrum and line-out time.
“I was pretty hungry. It was great to get back on the field,” said Ball on his Dublin appearance.
“It was a disappointing result, but great to be back out there.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed at not being involved. It was tough. I came in with a bit of a hamstring tweak from the Glasgow game.
“I didn’t train for the first week and a half which ruled me out of the France game and then selection happened for the Scotland game.
“I was disappointed not to be involved, but it was great to get back out there.”
Jake Ball sports the scars of battle against Ireland
Wales have faced Georgia twice since 2017 and Saturday’s meeting will be the third in four years.
In 2017 at Principality Stadium they were taken to the wire as they eventually ended with a narrow 13-6 win thanks to a try from Hallam Amos and the boot of Rhys Priestland.
Both sides also met in the opening round of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and even though Warren Gatland’s side ran out 43-14 winners, they were challenged physically throughout.
Georgia are definitely looking at their Autumn Nations Cup campaign as an opportunity to prove they are worthy of more regular Test matches against the top countries from both hemispheres.
Ranked 12th in the world, Georgia suffered a 40-0 defeat at Twickenham against England last weekend but will be better for the experience with Wales up next.
“It’s exciting for anyone who is involved,” said Ball ahead of this weekend’s game.
“It’s a great opportunity. It’s a chance to put your hand up for selection.
“Things haven’t gone great in the last few games, so what better chance than to go out there and play well against Georgia to put your hand up?
“It’s well-known they are a physical team. We played them at the World Cup.
“They can be a tough side to break down. It will be a tough game at the weekend at scrum, breakdown and line-out.
“They love to drive everything. If Georgia get a sniff early doors it’s going to be a long day at the office.
“Both England and Scotland England targeted the maul so hopefully we can do that at the weekend as well.”
