And the Welsh region is still waiting to find out if their 2016/17 Dream Team member James Davies will be fit to travel to the RDS in the club’s biggest game since they last made the play-offs in 2013.
Both players are suffering with shoulder problems and head coach Wayne Pivac is hoping his second row powerhouse, Ball, could be fit for the final if his side makes it to the Aviva Stadium. Davies faces a final fitness test on Wednesday.
“It’s a fight against time for Jake with his shoulder – should be have surgery or not? He’s doing all he can to re-hab the injury to get in some more rugby this season and we are hopeful he will be available should we reach the final,” said Pivac.
“James has comes through every test so far and it will be another big day for him today and then we will have a final test on Wednesday.”
Scottish skipper John Barclay, who missed the final round of regular season matches when the Scarlets hammered fellow Welsh semi-finalists the Ospreys by a record 40-17, is progressing nicely and should come into contention for the game on Friday night.
“John ran in our session on Sunday and came through. He’s doing everything in training and if he carries on in that way he will be available for selection,” added Pivac.
The continued absence of Ball will give former Leinster product Tadhg Beirne a chance to play against his former club at the end of his first season at the Scarlets. He has grabbed his chances this season with injuries to locks David Bulbring and Lewis Rawlins and appeared in 16 of the 22 games to date.
“Tadhg has done very, very well for us since joining from a Leinster side chock-full of talent. He was looking for an opportunity and he has taken his chances, which is a lesson for all young players,” said Pivac.
“Sometimes it is about being in the right place at the right time and you have to make sure you are ready to go when the call comes. He has certainly been ready and has played well for us.”
The Ospreys meet Munster in the second semi-final at Thomond Park on Saturday, creating the prospect of an all-Welsh final at the home of Irish rugby.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but it would be fantastic. From a Welsh point of view, that would be the dream final,” he added.
