absence and, on paper, look to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

Led by the world's most capped player, Philippe Sella, who represented his country 111 times, the French team are made up of internationals with almost 500 caps between them.

The French will, in fact, be one of the most star-studded teams to appear in the 10-year history of the Classic.

Sella, however, will be the main attraction, having played for his country over a 14-year period from 1982 to 1995.

During that time he competed in all three World Cups in 1987, '91 and '95 and only recently retired from first class rugby, having completed his career with English First Division side Saracens last April.

One of his earlier incursions into international rugby was in 1979 when he played for the French Schools against Scotland, a team which included Gavin Hastings, the Classic Lions captain.

But the French won't be a one-man team with players of the quality of Dominique Erbani, Jean Condom, Pascal Ondarts, Jerome Gallion, Denis Charvet, Jean-Patrick Lescaboura, Patrick Esteve and Alain Lorieux in the team. France open their Classic campaign on November 8 against last year's runners-up, Argentina.

French squad Dominique Erbani: Lock, capped 46 times from 1981-1990.

Jean Condom: Lock, France's most capped lock with 61 appearances from 1982-90.

Pascal Ondarts: Prop, capped 42 times as hooker from 1985-91.

Jerome Gallion: Scrum half, the "Little General'', played 27 times for his country, many times as captain from 1978-86 and was the French coach in the early 1990s.

Denis Charvet: Centre, one of the chracters of French rugby, having played 23 times from 1986-91. Has played in two Easter Classics.

Jean-Patrick Lescaboura: Outhalf, holds the French record for the most points scored in an international season and has played 28 times for his country from 1982-90.

Patrick Esteve: Wing, 25 appearances for his country from 1982-87.

Alain Lorieux: Lock, 30 appearances for France from 1981-89.

Louis Armary: Hooker, the second most capped player in that position with 47 caps from 1987-95 Francis Haget: Holds the record for the longest international career, having gained the first of his 40 caps in 1974 and his last in 1987.

Jean Charles Orso: Number eight, 11 appearances from 1982-88.

Laurent Pardo: Wing, 14 caps from 1980-85, the only survivor of the 1990 team which appeared in the Classic.

Eric Bonneval: Full back, 17 caps from 1984-88 Philippe Berot: Full back, 19 caps from 1986-89 Xavier Blond: Flanker, six caps from 1990-94 Bernard Decreil and Dries Van Heerden, both B internationals, join the French team with three more players yet to be named.