The English rugby season is about to get underway, and for one club in particular, their chances of winning the title has been dented with the loss of two of their most influential forwards.
The “cherry and whites” a popular moniker for the Gloucester rugby club in reference to their red and white hooped shirts, will try and assault a title (this year called the Aviva Premiership) they have come painfully close to winning in recent years.
In 2002/03, 2006/07 and 2007/08 the club has finished the regular season top of the table, minor premiers if you will, yet have been unable to win the title.
And it will be no easier this year without the services of their club captain Gareth Delve and their most experienced prop in Greg Somerville.
The two are multi dimensional forwards and will bring their considerable talents and experience to the Melbourne Rebels.
Both signing are considered coups, as they were being courted by their respective ‘home nations’ before joining up with Rod Macqueen and the Southern Hemisphere’s newest professional team.
Gareth Leon Delve was signed despite being courted by Wales national coach Warren Gatland, who has been suffering something of a back row crisis with the Red Dragons.
Gatland believed Delve could have been an integral part of the Welsh setup, and indeed the former Gloucester captain was for some time in two minds whether or not to test himself in the South, or try to break into Wales plans for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The Welsh coach was open with his admiration for the 11 times capped test forward.
"We have been watching Gareth for a while: he is an accurate player who does not make many mistakes,” Gatland said.
“I would like to see him in Wales and he has a lot to play for in the next 18 months.”
At the end of the day the experienced forward, who has played all of his recent top level rugby in England, with 62 appearances for Bath and 56 showings for Gloucester, couldn’t turn down the prospect of being a Rebel.
"The opportunity to test myself alongside the best players in world rugby in a competition I have grown up admiring, was one I couldn't refuse," Delve said.
Arguably the key reason Delve agreed to making the move down under was the chance to work with Macqueen.
"For Rod Macqueen to come out of retirement, this must be something special," said Delve.
"The chance to be involved with the building of a club from the ground up has great appeal. I'm looking forward to it immensely."
Delve made his test debut as a replacement off the bench against Scotland in the 2006 Six Nations. Injuries prevented him from making regular appearances, and an ankle injury derailed his 2007 international campaign but he was still called into that year’s Six Nations squad.
He was integral in Wales 2008 Grand Slamming side, playing against Scotland, Italy and Ireland.
His versatility is well known, and while the bulk of his rugby has been played off the back of the scrum, he has also played at openside flanker on numerous occasions.
The recruitment of former All Black Greg Somerville gives the Rebels a foundation forward who will not only be a pillar in the scrum, but will ensure that the side’s young front rowers are given a top class education in the dark arts.
It was in 1998 that Somerville rose to prominence, being given a dramatic debut in Canterbury colours by then coach and current Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans.
As the years progressed the 66 times capped All Black prop won a plethora of titles, winning Super rugby titles in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008. He also claimed success in the national provincial championship and Air New Zealand Cup in 2001, 2004 and 2008 and was part of the Ranfurly Shield winning sides in 2000 and 2004.
With the rare ability to play on both sides of the scrum, Somerville will be a priceless asset to the Rebels, although both Canterbury and New Zealand rugby were keen to persuade the prop to return home.
But like Delve, he decided to join the Melbourne based club, despite the fact that his burgeoning family almost persuaded him back to their old city in Christchurch.
He left Gloucester with 38 appearances to his name, having joined the club in 2008.
"I've loved every minute of my time with Gloucester, I just feel that now is the right time for my family to be nearer home, particularly with our third child being born just before Christmas,” Somerville said.
And again, the chance to work from the ground up and join forces with Macqueen was a driving factor in his move.
"I'm really looking forward to working with Rod Macqueen in helping establish a brand new Super Rugby team," Somerville said.