Burgess, Delve spearhead Rebels
Wallaby scrumhalf Luke Burgess and Welsh forward Gareth Delve featured in the Melbourne Rebels team named Sunday for the tour game with the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday.
It will be Burgess's first start in Australia for almost two years after returning from a stint in France.
The 37-Test scrumhalf said the Lions tour was one of the key reasons for his return home.
"Every rugby player's dream is to have the opportunity to play the British and Irish Lions in their home country, and I am very honoured to have been selected to start for the Rebels and get a chance to play them," Burgess said.
"Having been in Melbourne a couple of weeks now, I have built some solid combinations with this young playing group, and have enjoyed working alongside Nic Stirzaker in the half-back role.
"Together, we have both been able to apply a game plan that will look to challenge the Lions, and something we are both looking forward to."
With Wallabies Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Nick Phipps unavailable ahead of Saturday's second Test, the Rebels also welcome the return of lock Hugh Pyle and blindside flank Jarrod Saffy into the starting 15, after both recovered from injury.
Welsh No.8 Delve will captain the side in Tuesday's match in his final season with the Rebels.
It is the Lions' only remaining provincial game on the tour before taking on the Wallabies in this coming Saturday's second Test in Melbourne and the final Test in Sydney on July 6.
Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom English, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Lachlan Mitchell, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Gareth Delve (captain), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Nic Stirzaker, 22 Angus Roberts, 23 Cooper Vuna.
Date: Tuesday, June 25
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.40 (10.40 UK & Ireland time; 09.40 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Craig Joubert (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
AFP
