Defending champions Argentina have set their sights on a trio of World Rugby Classic titles after insisting their 24-man squad is equally as strong as last year.The Classic Pumas are due to arrive in Bermuda tonight with almost all of the battle-hardened bodies that pulled off a surprise 25-19 victory over the Classic Lions 12 months ago.And with a few fresh faces added to that tightly knit group, team manager Rudolfo Ventura is confident the team’s unique brand of aggression and flair can yield another triumph.“Of course we think we defend our title. We are confident and have prepared well to give ourselves a good chance of winning,” he told The Royal Gazette.“We are bringing almost all of the same faces who came last year plus four or five new guys.“It should be a strong team and we are expecting the same performance as last time, maybe even better.”As the defending champions, Ventura admits the Classic Pumas will be playing with a target on their backs but has sensed a desire and steely resilience within their ranks.“We have been at the Classic for 17 years now and, of course, sometimes we went knowing that it would be very difficult to win,” he said.“Sometimes it was not the best team we could have brought. Most of the other years, though, we always thought we could win and last year was one of those years .“It’s the same this year — we think we have a team that can win.”Last year’s victory marked the Pumas’ first title since thrashing Canada 33-5 in 1999 — only their fifth appearance at the annual scrum-fest.Back then the Classic was still considered by some to be a golden oldies tournament, but while the rugby has indeed become more bruising, Ventura insists the fun off the pitch has certainly not been sacrificed.“When the date approaches we really begin to get anxious and really want to be there because we enjoy it very much.“We find lots of new friends every year and have a very good week each time we are in Bermuda.“It’s a very welcoming place and everyone is always very pleasant to us. We enjoy the place, we enjoy the competition and we look forward to going every year.“We went the first time in 1995 when it seemed more for the golden oldies, but as time went by we really found the competition harder and harder, which is what we like.”The eight-nation Classic kicks off on Saturday at the National Sports Centre with Argentina facing France at 7.30pm, and South Africa taking on USA at 8.45pm.