fast-flowing, high-scoring action as eight teams, featuring some of the sport's biggest former stars, do battle at National Sports Club.

The popular week-long tournament kicks off tonight and while favourites New Zealand look to make it four wins in a row, last year's losing finalists England are bidding to go one step further this time around.

"We look to renewing our competition with the All Blacks,'' said England captain Rolly Hill, who will be appearing in his fourth Classic. "Hopefully it'll be in the final and we can turn the tables this time.

"We'll take each step as they come but we feel that we have a strong enough side to beat anybody.'' That `anybody' comes in the form of Bermuda tonight (6.30 p.m.). The locals are supplemented by a number of players hailing from Canada and Argentina but still appear destined for the an early exit into the Plate competition as has been the case throughout the tournament's existence.

"Obviously we're the underdog but we do have one or two surprises up our sleeves,'' said prop Roy Dunn, Bermuda's skipper. "We're going to play the style we've always played, running the ball from everywhere.

"We can make up for a lot of our deficiencies in our enthusiasm and pace.'' Fans will notice several new faces to the Bermuda lineup with four players appearing for the first time. Number eight Alastair Nicoll, scrumhalf Dave Taylor, centre Phil Heaney and hooker Peter Simons each make their debut.

Meanwhile Alan Gorbutt returns to his familiar role of hooker while speedy winger John O'Kelly-Lynch will shoulder much of the scoring load.

Said Dunn: "We'll definitely have to play above ourselves. Scoring can come from anywhere in the backline but we're hoping that our visitors are a bit special as well.'' England boast winger Hugh Thomas, one of the fastest rugby players to ever have set foot on the pitch according to Hill and also possess the talent of former England international Tim Buttimore among their backs.

"Our strength in the past has been our forwards, but this year it's our backline,'' said Hill. "The new laws make it important for the backline to have attacking skills and we've got that.

"The biggest drawback we have is the wonderful hospitality here in Bermuda.

We're looked after so well it makes it hard to play.'' The All Blacks, slated to tackle Europe in the 8 p.m. nightcap, are once again led by the likeable character of Andy Haden and the competition's all-time leading scorer (16 points) Gary Cunningham also returns to boost the squad.

Their opponents are made up of a veritable pot- pourri of internationals from Italy, France, Holland and Portugal.

Competition continues tomorrow night when Australia tackle last year's Plate winners Ireland (6.30 p.m.) and Scotland play Wales at 8 p.m.

The winners meet in the semi-finals on Sunday while the losers fight it out in the Plate semis on Monday. The finals are set for November 11.