Delve was the one of the most consistent performers for the Rebels during the 2011 Super Rugby season © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Gareth Delve | Alun Wyn Jones | Ryan Jones

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: Melbourne Rebels | Ospreys | Rebels | Wales

Gareth Delve's Rugby World Cup hopes have been boosted with a call-up to Wales' training camp in Poland.

The Melbourne Rebels No.8 looked set to miss both trips to Spala, because of Super Rugby commitments but arrived back in the country sooner than expected and immediately joined up with the side.

Fellow back-rowers Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas were omitted from the camp but Delve will face stiff competition for a place in the squad from Ryan Jones and Toby Faletau.

Delve hopes his impressive Super Rugby form - which saw him named Melbourne Rebels' Player of the Season - will pay dividends in his bid to be named in Gatland's final 30-man squad.

"I've got a few days to try and impress the big man [the coach Warren Gatland], so can hopefully still make the cut," Delve told The Western Mail. "I've missed the last couple of World Cups through injuries so this is a huge opportunity for me. I had a pretty good season in the Super 15 and I'm ready to play a big part in the squad."

Meanwhile, Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones is taking nothing for granted as he bids to earn his 50th test cap against England on August 6.

The 25-year-old already has a British & Irish Lions tour and a World Cup under his belt, but he has his eyes firmly set on the back-to-back Tests against their old rivals in a bid to make the plane to New Zealand.

"If I get there at Twickenham or back home in front of the home fans it would be a special moment for me, but I don't want to think too far ahead," he said. "I'm not counting my chickens by any stretch and I need to keep my head down, work hard and stay fit and hope that I get the opportunity.

"This is one of those years with only a short amount of time off and getting to that World Cup will be about endurance. If you can gain selection, when the squad is announced you have to get on with it and don't take a step back."