Delve's suspension reduced

Wales and Gloucester back row Gareth Delve has had his suspension for striking George Stowers during a recent Guinness Premiership match reduced on appeal to two weeks.

The pair clashed after a dangerous tackle by London Irish forward Stowers - for which he was later charged - in the closing stages at the Madejski Stadium, and Delve was initially banned for three weeks.

But RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett has now downgraded the striking charge from mid-range to lower end in terms of seriousness, the resulting two-week ban leaving him free to return on October 5.

Stowers was suspended for two weeks for the tackle which sparked the fracas, and a further week for striking Delve.

Delve will now be available for the Heineken Cup opener against the Dragons next Friday evening. He will miss Sunday's game at Leeds in the Premiership, but is free to play in the game against Paul Turner's much improved side.