Lions 2013: Manu Tuilagi returns in strong side to play Melbourne

Manu Tuilagi is named in a strong British and Irish Lions side for the final midweek game of their Australia tour in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The England centre will face the Rebels after suffering a nipped nerve in his neck against Queensland Reds on 8 June.

Lock Geoff Parling, one of four players in the side who came on in Saturday's first Test victory, will be captain.

Richard Hibbard, Dan Lydiate and Dan Cole start, as do unused replacements Sean Maitland and Owen Farrell.

Being appointed captain, with last week's midweek skipper Rory Best dropped to the bench, completes a whirlwind few days for Parling.

His wife Elle gave birth to a daughter, May, via C-section on Thursday as Parling was preparing for Saturday's first Test, in which he came on for the final 10 minutes.

"I am really proud," he said. "I was a bit nervous the night before and everyone is fine now. It has been a good few days.

"It is obviously a great honour and I am looking forward to getting some more game time. A few of the boys have a point to prove and are keen to start."

Tuilagi will renew his England centre partnership with Brad Barritt as he bids to return to Test contention for Saturday's second Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne.

While wing Tommy Bowe will not play on Tuesday - to ensure his hand is fully healed - he is available for Saturday.

Ireland prop Tom Court has been called up to the squad as cover for Alex Corbisiero (calf) and will be on the bench on Tuesday.

Mako Vunipola had originally been named as one of the replacements but he has been withdrawn in case he is needed to start in place of Corbisiero on Saturday.

Head coach Warren Gatland also had some good news regarding centre Jamie Roberts' recovery from a hamstring injury.

"I don't think Jamie is too far away. He is potentially in contention for that second Test," Gatland said. "It is a great tribute to the medical team and fitness staff.

"The squad is looking healthy, and having almost everyone available is great. If you look at Australia, who took a bit of a battering with injuries last night, we are in a good place."

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Sean O'Brien will return to open-side flanker after two outings at blind-side, with Lydiate at six and Justin Tipuric on the bench.

Former Wales loose forward Gareth Delve, who won the last of his 11 caps before moving to Melbourne for their debut season in 2010, will skipper the Rebels.

Recent Wallaby scrum-half signing Luke Burgess will make his first start for Australia's newest Super Rugby franchise after moving from Toulouse.

The Rebels have won four of their 15 matches in this year's Super Rugby campaign to sit fourth out of the five teams in the Australian conference.

Team line-ups

Lions: Rob Kearney; Sean Maitland, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, Simon Zebo; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Ryan Grant, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Geoff Parling (capt), Dan Lydiate, Sean O'Brien, Toby Faletau.

Replacements: Rory Best, Tom Court, Matt Stevens, Ian Evans, Justin Tipuric, Ben Youngs, Billy Twelvetrees, Stuart Hogg.

Melbourne Rebels: Jason Woodward; Tom English, Mitch Inman, Rory Sidey, Lachlan Mitchell; Bryce Hegarty, Luke Burgess; Nic Henderson, Ged Robinson, Laurie Weeks, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, Jarrod Saffy, Scott Fuglistaller, Gareth Delve (capt).

Replacements: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Jordy Reid, Nic Stirzaker, Angus Roberts, Cooper Vuna.