Robinson & Delve hold Wales hope

Gareth Delve and Nicky Robinson hope to impress at Gloucester

Gloucester pair Nicky Robinson and Gareth Delve hope to force Warren Gatland to ignore his policy of prioritising Welsh-based players

Fly-half Robinson and number eight Delve are determined to force their way into coach Gatland's squad by catching the eye in the Guinness Premiership.

Robinson insisted: "Wales' management said going to England won't be a problem...as long as I'm playing well."

Delve added: "I hope if I perform, I can challenge for Test selection."

Robinson and Delve face intense competition to represent Wales and are way down Gatland's pecking order.

Robinson, a summer signing from Cardiff Blues, represented his country on their summer tour to North America.

But the Gloucester new boy is behind Lions pair Stephen Jones and James Hook and Ospreys youngster Dan Biggar in line for Wales' much-coveted number 10 jersey.

I spoke to Wales' management before I made my decision to sign for Gloucester and they said going to England won't be a problem

Gloucester fly-half Nicky Robinson

The 27-year-old, who won his 13th Wales cap against in the summer, was instrumental in guiding the Blues to the Heineken Cup semi-final and and EDF Energy Trophy title last season.

But he swapped Wales for English giants Gloucester in the summer to develop his game further in the belief it would not hinder his international chances.

Robinson said: "I spoke to Wales' management before I made my decision to sign for Gloucester and they said going to England won't be a problem.

"So as long as I'm playing well, I'll be in Wales contention. The whole point of me coming to Gloucester was to make me a better rugby player and a better person.

"I needed a move to freshen me up, I needed something new and this is a great opportunity at a great club.

"Hopefully I'll play consistently in a very competitive league then that will put me in the right kind of light with Wales' coaches. Selection is not down to me - all I can do is perform."

Injury-plagued Delve, meanwhile, has to dispossess British and Irish Lions number eight Andy Powell and national captain Ryan Jones take his place in the middle of Wales' back row.

Delve, who has suffered two cruciate knee ligament injuries in the last two years, was called up for Wales on their summer tour to play Canada and USA Eagles, but withdrew as he felt he was lacking match-fitness.

He explained: "My season had finished two weeks previously so when I got the call notifying me I might be on the tour, I'd already had a couple of weeks where I thought my season had ended.

"I sat down with the Gloucester physios and decided the best thing for me after two cruciate operations in two years was to get a good pre-season to give myself a chance of being 100%. There was no snub, I love playing for my country."

The 26-year-old has won just nine caps spread over seven years as he has suffered injury problems but is sure his summer withdrawal will not put a black mark against his name when Gatland considers his Wales squad for the autumn Tests.

"I've always done everything I can to be involved in the Welsh set up. I've busted a gut to accumulate nine caps in seven years which mean the world to me.

"But the next time I get a chance on the international stage I want to be in a position where I'm judged fairly by being 100% percent.

"Hopefully I can challenge Ryan Jones and Andy Powell from a position of strength, rather than chasing games."