part of a last-minute Bermuda/France squad put together for the ninth World Rugby Classic which begins at National Sports Club tomorrow.

Harvey, captain of the triumphant Bermuda squad which won the Caribbean Championships this month, will be unable to suit up for the Classic due to an injury he suffered in the tournament.

The amiable captain -- also a star for Teachers each week -- said yesterday that he was pleased with the decision to include Bermuda players on the French side.

He said that local players never saw it as a slap in the face that Bermuda would have been prevented from having a side in the event, the biggest on the local rugby calendar each year.

But that all changed when France, regarded as the biggest threat to the All Blacks' supremacy in the Classic, could not field a proper squad.

"I don't think there was ever any ill filling, everybody would love to play but there are special eligibilities... and just the fact that France were short of players I am sure that guys will step in and help,'' said Harvey.

Harvey said that two of his Teachers team-mates, Ross Webber and Dennis Cherry, will be included in the French/Bermuda line-up. Caribbean Championship winning coach Keiron Peacock will be working the telephone at the 11th hour to see who else will be available.

The biggest question mark as the tournament begins is whether or not the New Zealanders can be beaten. Since losing to the Barbarians in the 1993 final they have completely dominated the Classic easily outgunning their opponents.

New Zealand won last year's final 50-10 over the Barbarians, led once again by Classic mainstay and captain Andy Haden.

"Everybody loves to see them play,'' said Harvey. "They're a great team but we really can't tell how good they will be this time until the first few games are played.

"We were hoping that perhaps one of the other teams like the Celtic Barbarians, who were strong a few years ago will be able to dethrone them but the All Blacks are a good outfit and are going to be hard to beat.'' The conquering All Blacks will indeed be tough to beat with the word complacency seemingly not a part of their vocabulary.

Aside from that one slip to the Barbarians the record of the All Blacks is impeccable and anything short of another sensational win will be a surprise.

In their trouncing of the Barbarians in last year's final the All Blacks were led by Bryce Robbins, Haden and Terry Wright. This trio is expected to spearhead them once again.

The Barbarians could however remain competititve with simiar outstanding performances from stalwarts such as Glen Webbe, Derek McAleeese, Paul Turner and Rob Brady who played well for them a year ago.

The team, comprising of players from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will feature at least six with more than 200 caps, including Derek White, Keith Crosson, Keith Robertson, John Jeffrey and Michael Bradley.

The All Blacks face a challenging opener of sorts when they line up against Argentina tomorrow at Nationals at 2p.m. United States take on South Africa in the second game at 3.30 Monday's play sees England playing Canada at 2p.m. and France meeting the Barbarians at 3.30