Melbourne Rebels

Finishes: debut season 2011 – 15th

Coach: Damien Hill

Captain: Stirling Mortlock

Gains: James O’Connor (Western Force), Kurtley Beale (NSW), Paul-Alo Emile (Western Force), Mitch Inman (Western Force), Lloyd Johansson (Honda Heat, Japan), James King (Blues)

Losses: Greg Somerville (retired), Kevin O’Neill (retired), Sam Cordingley (retired), JP Du Plessis (Western Province), Luke Rooney (Toulon), Afusipa Taumoepeau (released)

One to watch: James O’Connor – Will the impact provided by O’Connor and fellow superstar Kurtley Beale be enough to lift the Rebels off the bottom of the ladder?

Best team: Kurtley Beale, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock, James O’Connor, Cooper Vuna, Danny Cipriani, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Luke Jones, Jarrod Saffy, Al Campbell, Hugh Pyle, Nic Henderson, Jed Robinson, Laurie Weeks. Interchange: Adam Freier, Lloyd Johansson, Rodney Blake, Richard Kingi, Tom Chamberlain, Adam Byrnes, James Hilgendorf.

Predicted Australian conference finish: 4th.

Betting: Sportingbet: $41 (to win tournament).