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Page last updated at 18:07 GMT, Thursday, 18 March 2010

Gareth Delve ready to decide on his rugby future

Gareth Delve
Delve has options in Gloucester, Cardiff and Melbourne

Wales number eight Gareth Delve says he will decide where his rugby future lies at the end of the Six Nations.

The Gloucester forward has denied reports he has already pledged his playing future to Melbourne Rebels.

Nine-times-capped Delve, 27, could stay at Gloucester or join Cardiff Blues or the Rebels.

"My mind is changing every two seconds, so it's difficult. I have promised a decision some point next week," Delve told BBC Wales sport.

"So, when the [Six Nations] campaign is finished and I can give it my full attention I'll sit down with my girlfriend Helen and decide what's going to be best for us over the next two years or so."

Delve was recalled for the 27-12 defeat against Ireland in Dublin with skipper Ryan Jones out injured with a calf injury.

With Jones returning against Italy Delve has to make do with a place on the replacements bench on Saturday.

Ireland was Delve's second start for his country after suffering a serious knee injury during his first start, Wales' 37-24 defeat by South Africa in Pretoria in June 2008.

I'm just really enjoying being back in Wales camp

Gareth Delve

That call also came under coach Warren Gatland, but having turned down the chance to tour north America with Wales last summer, Delve had not been contacted by the Wales management until last weekend.

He said: "I'm just really enjoying being back in Wales camp.

"This opportunity has come faster than I ever expected and it does put me back into the mix of things with the squad.

"It's a fantastic environment to be around and you only realise that when you come back through the gates and meet with everyone and see the advancements that have been made since the last time I was here.

"In terms of speaking to the coaches and everything else, there's been no talk about my future, purely about the job I've been brought in to do.

"I'm 27 and hopefully entering my peak years so it's huge.

"I spoke with Cardiff and said I need to take things on their own merits. I've been speaking with Gloucester as well and the interest with Melbourne.

606: DEBATE

"So I'm looking to take everything as it comes. I need to consider the best place for me in the next year or two or three and where I can achieve the majority of my ambitions.

"I never gave up hope of being called up again by Wales. The Welsh opportunity to get more caps was a huge motivating factor in getting over the injuries.

"It was a pretty dark day in Pretoria when I hurt my knee and I think that was partly because I was so desperate to take my opportunity in my first start for my country."



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see also
Delve ponders Australia or Wales
08 Mar 10 |  Welsh
Rush quits Blues but Blair stays
08 Feb 10 |  Cardiff Blues
Ambitious Delve looking to future
09 Oct 09 |  Rugby Union
Injured Delve moves to Gloucester
30 Mar 07 |  Gloucester
Wales' rugby fixtures
26 Jun 07 |  Welsh
Wales rugby results archive
15 Oct 03 |  Welsh
Coming up next on Scrum V...
03 Nov 08 |  Welsh
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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