The 25-year-old Scarlets rookie will make his first start for Wales in the Triple Crown cauldron at Twickenham on Saturday. And minutes after the final whistle, younger sister Vicky will face the same opponents on the same turf.
For Vicky has been named at lock in the Wales Women’s team’s historic first match at the home of English rugby in the game that will follow the Six Nations match this weekend.
Proud Dad, Delme, himself a former second-row, is now President of Swalec Division One club Carmarthen Athletic – where the talented siblings launched their careers.
“My wife and I ran the junior section of the club, so Vicky was dragged along most weekends to watch Ken play. In the end she got so fed up standing on the sidelines that she joined in and ended up loving it,” said Delme.
“Both Ken and Vicky were always both mad about sport and were always playing with balls, whatever the sport. Carmarthen Town wanted to sign Ken as a youth because he was a decent goalkeeper.
“Vicky could have had a real chance at hockey but, in the end, chose rugby. It will be such a proud day for the family. It doesn’t get much better than watching your son and daughter play for Wales against England on the same pitch and on the same day.
“It’s incredible, we’re over the moon. The phone has been red hot with everything ringing for tickets – the entire family wants to come.”
The unique double selection means the proud parents face a rugby marathon at the weekend with three hours of rugby after sandwiched in between a 400-mile round-trip from west Wales.
Ken can’t wait to pack down between British & Irish Lions props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones in the biggest game of his career to date. But he is also delighted that his sister will be facing the auld enemy as well.
“The family are pretty excited about us both playing at Twickenham. It will be a huge moment for us both and will make it much easier on our mum and dad for travel,” said Ken.
“Two weeks ago they missed the first 15 minutes of my game at the Millennium Stadium because they had been watching Vicky play against Scotland at Cross Keys.”
First called up to the Wales squad in 2010, Ken failed to get off the bench and was beaten to his first cap by Vicky, who is studying Business Information at university in Cardiff.
“It’s just great that Vicky is doing so well for herself. She’s probably the best player in the family and if I can put in a good performance at Twickenham, then maybe we can make it another double by both playing against at the Millennium Stadium against Italy.”
