Cardiff-born Delve has become a fan favourite at Kingsholm, where he has even been honoured with captaincy in recent seasons. His fine form has long seen him on the fringes of Welsh squads having previously incurred a reputation as a injury prone player, but a good run of games has seen Delve's stock rise, and it looks likely that he will be joining the Welsh capital replacing Kiwi sensation, Xavier Rush.

Questions would certainly arise over whether Powell or Delve would wear the number eight shirt, their favoured position, although both can play flanker. But his arrival would be big coup for fans, who are still reeling from the news that both Rush and Ben Blair look likely to leave.

Delve would become the second signing ahead of next season, following Dan Parks who arrives from Glasgow in fine form, so much so he has earned himself a Scottish recall for the 6 Nations.

Dai Young spoke last week about the possibility of the influential Kiwi's, but also about the regions plans to shake up what has become quite an old-looking squad.

"Obviously we are in negotiation with Rushie and Ben, but there are a lot of players out of contract and our focus is the same year on year - we want to keep our best players. We'd also like to bring in a lot of energy and a bit of desire as well. So we need, I think, some fresh blood to really push our more recognised first team players."

As well as the obvious advantages a player of Delve's quality would bring to the Blues, his status as Welsh qualified makes him even more valuable, as the limit on nWq goes down as of the 10/11 season.

The Blues have also been linked with hotly tipped young Dragons prop Hugh Gustafson.

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