Delve could join Cipriani in Super15

Wales and Gloucester number eight says that a move to Cardiff or Melbourne are two of his options for his career beyond this season.

Delve is said to have been offered a chance to play in the Super 15  from 2011 with the Melbourne Rebels who will join the Super14 to make it a Super 15.

"It's a huge decision for me, there are some great opportunities," Delve, 27, told BBC Wales' Scrum V.

"Cardiff Blues are my hometown club so there's obviously a draw there and that's what my family is pushing.

"The Rebels option is exciting, but it is the other end of the world and may not tie in with other ambitions."

Delve has been out of favour with Wales' national coach Warren Gatland and has won just nine caps for Wales.

His situation is not helped as he plays his rugby outside the Welsh regional structure and because he chose to undertake a full pre-season training last summer rather than joining the Wales tour to North America.

He would however be a valuable addition to the squad, especially with number eight Ryan Jones suffering with a calf injury and Andy Powell being removed from the squad.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said of Delve: "He's a Welsh player playing first-grade rugby for Gloucester who has found a bit of form.

"He's been involved before for Wales in our Grand Slam year (2008) , but unfortunately he got a bad cruciate injury on tour in South Africa and hasn't featured since.

"If we thought he was the man for the job we would pick him no matter where he played, but there's no doubt it does go in your favour if you play in Wales and there's a 50-50 choice."

Delve told Scrum V that he is desperate for an international recall, but that he has been out in the cold since his decision not to tour last year.

"I spoke to (Wales) in the first week of May after having had a torrid end to the season with Gloucester," said the Gloucester Rugby joint-captain.

"My emotions were battered and I was thinking of picking myself up and building to challenge on all fronts in the next season.

"I'd sat down with the Gloucester coaches and physios and decided that the best thing was to get in my first full pre-season for a few years.

"It was a huge decision not to tour bur I think it proved to be the right one.

"Sadly that's put some distance between me and the Welsh set up. It's something I'd love to break down and get back in the mix.

"There've been very few discussions with Wales since - obviously the guys are very busy... some feedback would be nice to know what I have to do to get back.

"I would say that I'm suffering because I'm playing outside Wales. I understand the issues of player availability and missing training, but I am playing at a high level that would help me step in.

"I just hope for that phone call will come along out of the blue.

"I certainly feel capable of coming in and doing a job but it's out of my hands, all I can do is keep doing my best for Gloucester.

"It's something I'll never give up on. My main motivation through all the rehab has been to get to a level where I'm playing better than I was before."

Delve added that he "would relish" staying at Kingsholm, but his contract runs out this summer and he would have to "weigh up whether that is an option or not".

While he has plenty of options on the table, a return to Cardiff or a move to join Danny Cipriani in the new Melbourne team for the expanded Super 15 competition seem to be the main options.

Blues coach Dai Young said: "He (Delve) has got other options and it's up to him to make a decision.

"It's always a difficult decision for any player and I'm sure he'll make that when he feels that the time is right."

Delve told Scrum V: "I'm weighing things up, it's a huge decision for me.

"I'm 27 now and hope the next two years will be the best of my career.

"There are some huge decisions, great headaches and great opportunities.

"Going back over the (Severn) Bridge is certainly one of them that I'm considering strongly and that's what my family are pushing.

"I have to weigh it up with my partner and decide what's best.

"It's always been a lure to go back to Wales to play in front of friends and family.

"There are a couple of other fantastic offers in terms of where they could take me and what benefit I could get from them for the next few years.

"It would obviously be a huge decision to move to the other side of the world, but I grew up watching the Super 14 tournament.

"The chance to measure myself against the best players in the world week-in, week-out would excite me.