Six Nations:Gareth Delve has been called into the Wales squad ahead of this Saturday's Six Nations game against Ireland at Croke Park (2.30pm).
The Gloucester captain and number eight boosts a forward contingent which has recently lost, through injury, Ospreys lock Alun-Wyn Jones and Cardiff’s Andy Powell through suspension.
Delve, capped four times for Wales, returns to the international scene for the first time since 2008, will also provide cover for the Wales captain Ryan Jones whose calf problems have been well documented during the current campaign.
"We are expecting Ryan to be fine," said Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins. "But we have called on Gareth to boost the squad numbers in the forwards and provide cover in that back row area.
"We have been keeping a close eye on him, no one more so than Shaun Edwards whose Wasps side beat Gloucester at the weekend, and we think he has been playing well and will do a job for us if called upon."
