THERE'S a new breed about in Welsh rugby and it's personified by Gareth Delve, a bright new talent who has earned his spurs playing in the English Premiership with Bath.

The Cardiff-born back row forward has been hit by a series of major injuries which have blighted his career so far and confined his appearances for Wales to just one, against the Barbarians a few years ago.

But now he's fully fit and has been called up into the Wales Six Nations squad.

He's been playing impressively for Bath and is the one player likely to break up the established back row line-up of Colin Charvis, Michael Owen and Martyn Williams in the absence of the injured Ryan Jones.

He can play anywhere in the back row, occupying the openside role for Bath against Wasps last Saturday, though preferring the number eight role.

"I'd rather play there, I'm more confident there, but I'd play anywhere, though maybe not at tight head," he said in a relaxed, easy manner in his first major meeting with the media at the team's Vale of Glamorgan headquarters yesterday.

"I just want to get out there and put the jersey on, it would mean the world to me," he enthused. "It's highly unlikely, I'll probably back up a very experienced trio in the back row, but I'll take whatever I get.

"Talking to Ryan makes you forget about injuries. It's a huge motivational factor trying to get back, everything seems rosy, I'm on the bottom rung of the ladder, not making an impact yet after all the injuries.

"I've missed enough rugby over the last few years, so I'm happy just playing again."

He has already shared a fair bit of ribbing with his English forward colleagues Danny Grewcock, Steve Borthwick and Matt Stevens at Bath.

"I've had a bit of banter from Bath's England players, but I know a few are carrying niggles so I've made a mental note of who they are and where they are.

"Danny and Steve are always fired up, so no shocks there," he said. "Matt may be on the bench, but he'll be chomping at the bit, he's a very destructive ball carrier and we need to close him down quickly. I want to take the bragging rights back to Bath with me next week."

At the other end of the experience scale, Stephen Jones, 51 caps and 31 points short of 500 in the Six Nations, is not fazed by Wales' poor record at Twickenham where they haven't won since 1988.

"It's a big challenge going there, but it's like playing anyone else and we don't view it a magical place or anything like that," he said.

"The English clubs had some big games last week, but we've got more injuries. We've got to concentrate on our game this week and it's important to make sure everyone is comfortable and knows his responsibilities.

"There's no reason why we can't put a performance in. We believe in the way we play, I believe it's a difficult style to mark up, but if we do things effectively there shouldn't be a problem."

The Welsh team announced tonight will be as forecast in Argus Sport last Thursday, though there will probably be a change on the bench after the sending off of Dafydd Jones, Alix Popham the likely replacement.

Probable team: G Thomas (capt) , M Jones, H Luscombe, M Watkins, S Williams, S Jones, D Peel, D Jones, R Thomas, A Jones, I Gough, R Sidoli, C Charvis, M Owen, M Williams. Replacements: L Byrne, C Sweeney, G Cooper, G Jenkins, M Davies, G Delve, A Popham. KO 3.30pm. Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)