Rebel Delve Targeting Australia Lions Tour

Melbourne Rebels No 8, Gareth Delve has outlined his desire to make the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia.

Welshman Delve has been playing his rugby for Melbourne in the Super 15 since 2010 and has impressed the locals with some outstanding displays at the back of the scrum leading to several player of the year club awards.

He was called up for the Wales tour to Australia last month after Toby Faletau was injured in the first test, but did not feature in the second and third tests.

Delve is hoping that his knowledge of the Australian teams, players and conditions will give him and advantage when it comes to selection for the tour.

“I’d love to make that tour. It’s a huge ambition of mine.  If I can perform, hopefully they’ll be casting the net wide and I’ll have a pretty decent knowledge of Australian Rugby by then.

“It’ll be fantastic if that was the case. It’s incredible to get those rewards and recognition.

“The fact we’ve had such a good season and to be part of such a great team is reward enough, but to get that recognition as a foreign player means a huge amount to me.”

Delve has already signed up to play for the Rebels again next season so if he is selected, he may line up against his Rebels team mates when the Lions play the Rebels on 25th June 2013 in Melbourne.