For a time Jake Ball looked as if he might be the latest in a long line of Australia fast bowlers to terrorise England.
But instead the Ascot-born Ball will try to inflict pain of a different kind on his homeland when he starts in the second row for Wales against England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday.
Until the age of 16, Ball lived in Ascot, the commuter town south-west of London best known for its celebrated racecourse.
And it was there that Ball, whose father played rugby for London Welsh and Harlequins and was born in the north Wales town of Pwllheli, took his first steps in sport.
But after his family emigrated to Australia when he was 17, Ball made rapid progress, in every sense, as a tyro paceman.
However, he was still playing rugby as well and despite pleas from former Australia batsman Geoff Marsh and the looming possibility of a professional cricket contract, the now 22-year-old decided his heart was in the 15-man game.
Having trained with the Perth-based Western Force, the Scarlets were alerted to his progress and he joined the Welsh region on a trial.
He then overcame a knee injury as he forced his way into the Llanelli-based team and this Six Nations saw him make his Wales debut, off the bench, in a 26-3 thrashing by Ireland.
And a fortnight ago his first Test came in rushed fashion when, shortly before kick-off against France, lock Alun Wyn Jones pulled out with a foot infection.
However, Ball looked anything but out of place in two-time defending champions’ Wales 27-6 thumping win over ‘Les Bleus’ in Cardiff.
Now he will start against England after Luke Charteris pulled out with a neck injury on Friday.
“Luke copped the knock quite early in the week, so I was training in that starting role anyway,” said Ball.
“I think even when you are on the bench, you approach it as if you are going to start.
“Against France, it was quite a last-minute thing, which was quite nice to be honest.
“It didn’t give me a lot of time to think about it — I could just get out there and play.”
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Dont know how good Australia will be by the end of the year but imo England is the 3rd best team on the planet for now. Englands tight 5 is better than Australias, only Moore would get a start there imo, and the backrow it is close between the two. The backs are hard to judge, Australia had its backline functioning well at the end of 2013 but England has more skillfull wings, tighter defence and better goal kicking. It will be interesting when they meet again, as will the NZ vs Eng test series in june.
atlas
Guest
wide of the mark there with BV - unless the ARU radar extends to six year olds (as he was when the family landed at Heathrow, Mako was 8) Born in Australia to traveling parents from Tonga (Methodist religious ministers) just as was brother Mako who was born when they were in NZ. A few years later they were both playing for Pontypool U-11s in Wales, and later played together again for England Under-18s.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Was born here but moved to the UK as a child and went to school over there. Not sure the ARU ever had a look at him.
Tigranes
Guest
Billy Vunipola is another bloke the ARU missed and should be playing for Australia.
Buzzard
Guest
England will win RWC 2015!
Jak
Guest
no
Snowbored
Guest
Ah look, the English terrorised him today though but! England 29-Wales 18. look, That's with five key English players missing I reckon when the wallabies come over in 2014 and 2015 there will be another couple of dozen Wallabies terrorised by the English, don't you?
specks
Guest
Yeah, he taught rusty how to act...wrote music for split enz, came up with the pavlova...all while drinking VB's laced with vegemite.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Yeah, he stepped foot in Australia and hes good, must be Australian.
Malcolm Dreaneen
Roar Pro
What an outstanding athlete
Rodknee
Guest
Another stuff up by Western Force and ARU