So just who is James Ratti, the real bolter in Wales’ Six Nations squad?
Rugby correspondent Simon Thomas delivers the lowdown on the uncapped Cardiff No 8
What’s Ratti’s rugby background?
He took up the sport at Dunvant RFC, where his father Leigh was a coach.
The club’s youth team coach, Rob Murphy, remembers him well.
“He came to us as a primary school pupil and moved through the ranks from the U8s all the way through to our youth set-up,” said Murphy.
“He was a big lad and in schoolboy and youth rugby the bigger players tend to stand out, but James also had ball skills and other qualities.
“He even played on the wing for us, as well as at lock and No. 8. He had some pace as well as power.
“What I also remember is that he never moaned. He was a team player who went the extra mile for the boys around him. He’d fit in to suit the side and while he was quiet off the pitch, he was very popular.”
READ MORE: Pivac reveals why Biggar has been named captain
How did his career progress?
Up until U16s level, he was always a No 8, but then in his late teens he transitioned to the second row.
In 2016, the former Llandovery College student was signed by the Ospreys, joining their Academy, and was capped by Wales at U18s and U20s level.
So he looked to be on course for big things.
But he was to find his regional game-time restricted.
He was limited to just 13 outings for the Ospreys over a three-year period, with much of his rugby coming at Premiership level with Aberavon and Swansea.
“It was tough because I was never quite the tallest lock,” he said, speaking to WalesOnline last year.
“There are some giants about there these days, especially at this level.”
So what did he do?
Well, he took a really bold step.
In the summer of 2019, he opted to move down a level by joining the Cardiff RFC club side.
“It was a very tough decision for me at the time and I didn’t necessarily know it was going to be the right one,” he said.
“I had always wanted to be a professional rugby player. That’s the dream, isn’t it?
“I just don’t think you can accept you are not going to make it. You have just got to get in the mindset of doing everything you can to impress.
“If it is by taking a step back to Premiership rugby to try and get your face in the door, then you've just got to do everything you can with a positive mindset.”
His aim was to make enough of an impression to force his way into the regional set-up at the Arms Park.
Presumably it worked?
Indeed it did!
After catching the eye in eight early season appearances in the Premiership, he was called up to make his Cardiff Blues debut against Calvisano in November 2019 and he didn’t look back.
Operating at lock and on the blindside flank, he played in seven of the following eight games, establishing himself as a valuable member of the squad and in January 2020 he was rewarded with a long-term regional contract.
Speaking at the time, then Blues coach John Mulvihill said: “We have been really impressed with the way James has taken his chance and the performances he has put in.
“He has a superb work-rate, he listens and learns very well and he is having a big impact on both sides of the ball.”
So how has he ended up as a No 8?
That is down to Dai Young, who took over from Mulvihill at the beginning of last year.
He saw the potential Ratti could have off the base of the scrum given his size and athleticism.
So the conversion began and it bore pretty much immediate fruit.
In the three Rainbow Cup Welsh derbies at the tale end of last season, Ratti put in 36 carries, making 99 metres.
It was some impact. Cardiff had been looking for a ball-carrying No 8 following the retirement of Nick Williams and now, all of a sudden, they had one on their hands.
They also had someone who was a genuine lineout option and who brought a huge work ethic, in attack and defence.
All in all, it was something of a masterstroke by Young.
As for Ratti, he was delighted to revert to his old junior rugby position.
“The switch back wasn’t something I necessarily expected, but when Dai said he would be looking to give me a shot there, I bit his hand off,” he said.
“It’s something I threw myself into.
“When he told me, my first thought was ‘I have to get my hands on the ball and up my carry stats’.
“It’s a different game to playing in the second row. There is a little bit less taken out of the legs scrum-time.
“The expectation is you’ve got to get your hands on the ball and give go-forward. If you are not doing that, then there are boys who will step in and will.
“No 8s these days have got to be ball carriers, so that’s been my main focus.
“My favourite part of the game is just getting hands on the ball and getting some go-forward off 10, off 9.”
How has this season gone for him?
It’s been a bit stop-start for obvious reasons.
There were four early season starts at No 8 against Connacht, the Ospreys, the Bulls and the Dragons, enabling him to build valuable experience in the role.
But then came an 11 week lay-off, not through injury but due to hotel isolation following Cardiff’s ill-fated trip to South Africa and Covid-related postponements over the festive period.
In the meantime, James Botham had shone for a cobbled together side in Europe, starring at No 8 against Toulouse.
So when Ratti was finally able to return to action, for the trip to Edinburgh some ten days ago, his role was that of a bench understudy.
At that point, a Six Nations call-up looked far fetched in the extreme.
But then fate took a hand with No 8 Botham suffering a heavy blow to the head and being stretchered off in the shadow of Murrayfield.
Ratti came on as a sub to get some much-needed game-time under his belt and was then handed a starting spot for last weekend’s Champions Cup clash against Harlequins at the Arms Park.
Now one match on its own isn’t going to earn you an international call-up.
But the way the 24-year-old performed at the base of the scrum in front of the Welsh coaches must have played a huge part in his call-up as the squad bolter.
He made more carries (14) and tackles (13) than any other player on the pitch and made the most metres (46) of any forward, capping his display by muscling his way over for a try and adding in a turnover for good measure.
It was some performance and it clearly didn’t go unnoticed.
So what’s Wayne Pivac had to say about the reasons behind his selection?
With Taulupe Faletau ruled out through injury, it’s all about building depth, while Ratti also ticks the boxes in terms of his physical attributes at 6ft 4ins and 18st 6lbs.
“We don’t have a lot of No 8s in this country,” said Wales coach Pivac.
“James has converted from second row, he’s got good size.
“What we want to do is add to his game again in terms of his attacking and defensive game.
“But we think he brings raw ingredients and with a bit of time and work we can keep improving him as a player.
“With the World Cup just around the corner, we need to be looking ahead as well as the here and now.”
So exciting times for Ratti then?
Indeed they are, as he no doubt sets his sights on making his Wales debut during this Six Nations.
It’s a heart-warming story and one which shows you should never give up.
It also shows you can sometimes take a step backwards to make a big one forwards.
That’s certainly how Ratti now reflects on his decision to move down a level by joining Cardiff RFC.
“Obviously, with hindsight now, it’s one of the best things I’ve done,” he said.
“Getting those regular Premiership games, it was brilliant for me.
“I made the right decision and I am very happy where I am now.”
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