​Bath have emerged as shock contenders to win the race to sign Wales back-rower Gareth Delve from Gloucester.

Delve, who will start for Wales against Ireland in the RBS Six Nations on Saturday, was initially thought to be torn between moves to Cardiff Blues and Melbourne Rebels.

But it is understood he has also held talks with Bath over a potential return to the Recreation Ground when his Gloucester deal expires this summer.

The 27-year-old No 8 left Bath at the end of the 2006-07 season, having joined the club straight from school. And he admitted  before Gloucester travelled to the Rec last December that he still had emotional ties to his former club.

Delve is understood to have met with Bath officials to discuss a move that would see him become the second player in successive summers to make the return journey from Kingsholm.

Olly Barkley made the switch last summer following an unhappy year at Gloucester – and Bath are understood to be confident of persuading Delve to do the same.

Despite playing his rugby in England, Delve will be handed the Wales No 8 shirt in Dublin this weekend, almost two years after he won his previous cap.

And Bath will be eager to convince the forward – who remains very popular among the Bath players – that he will be able to realise his ambition of representing his country at next year’s World Cup if he remains in the Guinness Premiership.

Speaking earlier this week, Delve said: “I haven’t signed for anybody at the moment, and, at this moment in time, I’m still trying to work out in my own head where I stand on the matter.

“At this point, there’s no signing and I don’t think there will be for at least another week or two.”