The Melbourne Rebels have named their team for the opening game of the 2018 Super Rugby season against the Reds in Melbourne tonight.

Rebels coach Dave Wessels has named 10 international Test players in his starting line‑up, including nine current Wallabies and a Japanese international.

New recruit Will Genia will make his much‑anticipated first appearance for the Rebels.

Captain Adam Coleman and Matt Philip have been paired in an international second row while Wallaby and Japanese rep Lopeti Timani and Amanaki Mafi, have been included in the back row with Angus Cottrell.

Reece Hodge and Tom English will partner in the centres while Wallaby flyer Sefa Naivalu and young gun Jack Maddocks will start on the wings while Dane Haylett‑Petty will feature at fullback completing the starting back three.

Meanwhile three Fijians have been named in the starting line up for the Reds.

Eto Nabuli, Samu Kerevi will start for the Reds tonight against the Rebels while Filipo Daugunu has been named on the bench.

The Reds will take on the Rebels at 8.45 tonight while the Blues will face the Highlanders at 6.35pm tonight.

Tomorrow, the Sunwolves takes on the Brumbies at 4.15pm, defending champions the Crusaders will play the Chiefs at 6.35pm, while the Waratahs will host the Stormers at 8.45pm.

On Sunday, the Lions play the Jaguares at 1.05am and Bulls will take on the Hurricanes at 3.15am this Sunday.

Teams:

Rebels

15 Dane Haylett‑Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Tetera Faulkner

Substitutes: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Ross Haylett‑Petty, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Semisi Tupou, 23 Billy Meakes

Reds

15 Aidan Toua, 14 Chris Feauai‑Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jono Lance, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Adam Korczyk, 6 Caleb Timu, 5 Lukhan Tui, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga‑Amosa, 1 James Slipper

Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Filipo Daugunu

Source: Sports24