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)


Simon Rimmer
Wales National Squad Communications Manager
WRU Group, Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS
Email (inc blackberry): srimmer@wru.co.uk
M: 07825 981 128
Tel (switchboard): 02920 822391

Ends