Wales’ Australian-based back-rower Gareth Delve believes he can play a part in the Rugby World Cup even though he won’t participate in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations.
Delve has won 11 caps for his country despite playing for English sides Bath and Gloucester but is now much further away from Warren Gatland’s call having opted to play for the Melbourne Rebels in the new-look Super 15.
But the 27-year-old maintains he has no intention of quitting international rugby and believes the experience of competing against Southern Hemisphere players on a weekly basis can make him an invaluable tool in Wales’ 2011 World Cup campaign.
“In terms of No.8s Pierre Spies is in great form and Kieran Reid is probably the best in the world,” Delve told the Rugby Paper.
“I have put myself in this position because I want to see if I will sink or swim against the best.
“I am confident I can mix it with these guys and would not have come over if I did not think I could match them.
“I believe the door is still open to me with the World Cup being based down here.
“If I am performing well against Tri-Nations opposition then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be picked.
“The experience I can impart playing in the Southern Hemisphere is not something another league can offer.
“That was on my mind when I moved here that it will make me a much better player playing against guys top of the world rankings every week.
“Warren Gatland has got a huge amount of knowledge about Southern Hemisphere rugby and if I am playing well in the Super 15 then he knows I am always available.”
