Melbourne’s Test five-eighth James O’Connor has been given the green light for the Rebels’ Super Rugby clash with the Queensland Reds.
O’Connor has recovered from a chest injury after missing the past two Rebels matches and will start at No.10 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
With the return of O’Connor, Bryce Hegarty has been relegated to the bench in the only change to the Melbourne line-up that is gunning for three successive wins for the first time.
His inclusion sets up an intriguing clash with Queensland five-eighth Quade Cooper, who has been overlooked for the Wallabies squad to face the touring British and Irish Lions next month, although coach Robbie Deans is yet to add a handful of players.
Melbourne: Jason Woodward, Tom English, Mitch Inman, Rory Sidey, Lachlan Mitchell, James O’Connor, Nick Phipps, Scott Higginbotham (capt), Scott Fuglistaller, Jarrod Saffy, Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson. Res: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emile, Cadeyrn Neville, Gareth Delve, Nic Stirzaker, Bryce Hegarty, Kimami Sitauti.