THE World Rugby Classic will stage a star-studded banquet on September 1 at the Fairmont Southampton Princess to celebrate the start of the sixth Rugby World Cup.John Kane, president of the Classic, said the banquet will be held a week before the World Cup starts in France and three of the winning World Cup captains and the current coach of the current champions will fly into Bermuda for the banquet.

“This is a unique gathering of World Cup personalities” said Kane adding, “and it is part of our celebrations for this year which marks the 20th World Rugby Classic.”

Kane said he had originally hoped that to have David Kirk, who was the first captain to hold up the World Cup Trophy in 1987, to complete the set of five but “unfortunately his business commitments in New Zealand have prevented this”.

Sir Clive Woodward who coached England, the current holders from 2003, will be here in place of the England captain Martin Johnson and will be making a return visit to Bermuda after a 23-year gap.

“Clive played in the 1984 Easter Classic,” said Kane adding that Woodward has played 21 times for England and twice for the British Lions. “He was knighted in 2003 and is one of the most sought-after speakers in the world of sport and business,” said Kane.

Nick Farr-Jones, who captained Australia to victory in the second World Cup in 1991 which was held in England, will be coming to Bermuda.

“Nick played 63 times for Australia at scrumhalf from 1984 to 1993 — 36 times as captain. He was part of the 1984 Australian team to the British Isles, overcoming all four countries and winning the Grand Slam. He was first capped against England in 1984 and played his final match against South Africa in 1993,” said Kane.

Francois Pienaar captained South Africa to the World Cup title in 1995. “It was a win which united all the people of South Africa in joyous celebration. Along with Nelson Mandela he is considered to be one of the most famous South Africans ever. Indeed at the 1995 World Cup Final against New Zealand, Mandela wore the number 7 jersey, Pienaar’s number!” said Kane.

An icon in South Africa, Mandela wrote of him: “It was under Francois inspiring leadership that rugby became the pride of the entire country, he brought the nation together.”

Kane explained that in 1992, following the end of apartheid, South Africa played their first official rugby international since 1984 and struggled to come to terms with the changes over the years.

“Pienaar, in a very bold move, was made captain on his international debut and went on to captain his country for all his 29 appearances. He retired from international rugby in 2000 and was inducted in the Wall of Fame at Twickenham later that year. He, like Woodward, is one of the most sought after speakers in sport and business and this will be his second visit to Bermuda having played in the 2004 World Rugby Classic.”

John Eales, who captained Australia to victory in the fourth Rugby World Cup in Wales in 1999 and defeated France in the final, will also be travelling to Bermuda for the banquet.

With the nickname of “Nobody” as in “Nobody is Perfect”, he made his international debut at lock in 1991 and played his final, and 86th game for his country in 2001.

He was appointed captain of Australia in 1996 and captained his country on 52 occasions, scoring 173 points.

He is generally considered to have been one of the best lineout jumpers in the game.

Kane said: “This is going to be a very special event and it is only the reputation of Bermuda which has enabled us to gather these World Cup personalities together in one place.

“There are many places in the world who would give their right arm for an event like this and so we count ourselves very fortunate indeed.”

George Hook, the Irish radio and television personality, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Kane added: “It will be an evening which is bound to centre around the history of the World Cup and the many stories which usually accompany any such rugby gatherings. It promises to be one of the rugby social events of the year, anywhere!”

Reservations for the World Cup Celebration Banquet can be made by email to: Jkane@avondale.bm

Rugby greats for banquet