Waratahs star Kurtley Beale set to face former club Melbourne Rebels in Albury trial in February

THE Rebels will face NSW - and their former star Kurtley Beale - in the club's first competitive outing under new coach Tony McGahan.

THE Melbourne Rebels will face arch-rivals NSW in the club's first competitive outing under new coach Tony McGahan.

Melbourne will clash with the Waratahs in Albury on February 1 in what is likely to be the first of three trial matches before the Rebels play their opening Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs at AAMI Park on February 28.

There will be added spice to the clash following a pair of off-season defections - Kurtley Beale and Nick Phipps left Melbourne to link with the Waratahs, while Lopeti Timani and Tom Kingston moved from NSW to the Rebels.

"It's our first match of the season, and we will be facing a Waratahs squad with 12 current Wallabies," McGahan said.

"It will be a great test for this young team, and a fierce contest to begin our 2014 campaign.

"There's a strong rivalry between these two teams, witnessed last time we met (when Melbourne downed NSW for the first time).

"The Waratahs will be looking to atone for losing the Weary Dunlop Shield, and we will be looking to start 2014 on a high, and reward our loyal members."

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Timani said he was looking forward to his first game for the Rebels.

"This is the perfect venue for the trial, being on the border," Timani said.

"It's a great way to begin the 2014 season. It will be different playing across from the sky blue for the first time, but a challenge I'm looking forward to, especially with the Wallabies they have in their side.

"It has been great spending time with the boys in these first few weeks.

"And everybody across the entire club, players, coaches and our off field team are really working hard, and this will be a big test for the club to show what we're capable of in 2014."

Melbourne is still to formalise up to two more trials, one of which is likely to be played in Victoria.