Rebels confirm departure of Gareth Delve, Ged Robinson and Richard Kingi as Kurtley Beale considers future

THE Rebels may lose star Kurtley Beale and are sure to be without foundation players Gareth Delve, Ged Robinson and Richard Kingi next year.

THE imminent departure of several foundation players from the Melbourne Rebels - including Gareth Delve, Ged Robinson, Richard Kingi and Nick Phipps - comes as Kurtley Beale considers a return to the NSW Waratahs.

Beale, now addressing alcohol-related issues at a Sydney health facility, could return to the field ahead of next week's game against Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

But there is growing conjecture the Wallaby playmaker will soon return permanently to NSW after two seasons with the Rebels.

Beale hopes to earn a call-up for the British and Irish Lions series, but Australian Rugby Union and Melbourne officials have made it clear his welfare is paramount.

He is known to be keen to play as many of the Rebels remaining matches as possible, although his absence from tomorrow night's clash with NSW robs the clash of another dimension.

Welshman Delve and New Zealander Robinson must leave Melbourne because of the ARU's international marquee quota rules, while Wallaby tourist Kingi will move to France.

The trio, who have all represented their countries, have been significant contributors to the Rebel cause.

Delve, who last season played for Wales and succeeded Stirling Mortlock as captain of the Rebels, is expected to continue his globe-trotting career in Japan.

Robinson, who has developed into an outstanding hooker, will return to New Zealand to chase All Black honours.

Kingi, one of the club's finest creative talents, will join glamour French club Stade Francais.

Melbourne has secured a host of recruits for next season including Luke Burgess, Toby Smith, Max Lahiff, Tom Sexton, Colby Fainga'a and Lopeti Timani.

It has also been bolstered by the re-signings of Scott Higginbotham, locks Hugh Pyle and Cadeyrn Neville, centre Mitch Inman and flanker Jordy Reid.