WALES lock Jack Ball hopes that his stunning autumn has made it hard for his rivals to wrestle the number 4 jersey off his back as he eyes the World Cup, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Scarlets man has been one of the hits of November and was given the nod by boss Warren Gatland for the Tests against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The 23-year-old produced a typically forthright display alongside Alun Wyn Jones in Wales' hard-earned 12-6 against the Springboks, slugging it out with the high-rated Eben Etzebeth-Victor Matfield partnership.

His toil meant that Luke Charteris' services were not required – but Ball knows he is there to be shot at with the Racing Metro man, Bradley Davies and Ian Evans all gunning for selection.

"My aim is for people to be saying that Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball are a good lock pairing," he said.

"My selection in previous squads was down to others' injuries or bans. It was a massive aim to get picked for the squad on merit and not only that but start ahead of everyone.

"That's happened this autumn and now it's up to me to make it hard for others to get that jersey off me.

Working towards that World Cup and a massive goal of mine is to be involved."

Ball has impressed this autumn and so has his Scarlets teammate Samson Lee, who has established himself as Wales' leading tighthead.

The 22-year-old's exploits led to iconic prop Adam Jones to Tweet: "Don't mind losing my place to Samson! Some player! Got to be a Lions in '17!! Last few scrums were epic!!"

"Samson has been great. I have scrummaged behind him a lot and he has come on leaps and bounds," said Ball.

"When he first came in he was given things to work on and he has done that. His efforts around the field are coming along and he is becoming quite a character in the squad now as well.

"Samson has been carrying a knock but the way he has managed it is great for someone of that age."