Gareth Delve has today (Monday) been called into the Wales squad preparing for the fourth round RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland at Croke Park this Saturday.
The Gloucester captain and No 8 boosts a forward contingent which has recently lost, through injury, Ospreys lock Alun-Wyn Jones and, through suspension, Blues back row Andy Powell.
But the four-times capped Delve, who returns to the international scene for the first time since 2008, will also provide cover for the Wales captain Ryan Jones whose calf problems have been well documented during the current campaign.
“We are expecting Ryan to be fine,” said Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins.
“But we have called on Gareth to boost the squad numbers in the forwards and provide cover in that back row area.
“We have been keeping a close eye on him, no one more so than Shaun Edwards whose Wasps side beat Gloucester at the weekend, and we think he has been playing well and will do a job for us if called upon.”
BIOG:
Gareth DELVE (GLOUCESTER RUGBY – Cap No 1,043)
DoB: 30.12.82. 6’3″ / 1.91m. 17st 13lbs / 114kgs
International record: 9 caps (W 4, L 5; 5 pts – 1T)
2006 S(rep),I(rep),Arg(rep),Arg(rep). 2008 S(rep),It(rep),I(rep),SA(rep1;2)
