THE World Rugby Classic, brought forward a month this year with a scheduled October 12 start because of the Rugby World Cup, is shaping up to be another bumper event.

According to organisers, there has been a positive reponse with the earlier date having no significant effect on teams.

In fact the Classic Barbarians, winners the past two years, have moved swiftly by naming their squad this year while the Classic All Blacks have thrown down the challlenge by bringing in some new players in hopes of offering a stronger challenge.

The All Blacks haven't won the title since 1996 and will this time be striving hard to win again.

The Barbarians have strengthened their squad with players such as Allan Batman, capped 35 times for Wales, Graham Shiel with 18 caps for Scotland and Brett Sinkinson with 20 caps for Wales.

The All Blacks have also drafted in Walter Little who has 50 caps while former New Zealand captain Buck Shelford with 22 caps will make a re-appearance after a three-year absence.

South Africa has net to name its squad but Brendan Venter with 17 caps is a sure starter having just retired from London Irish.

Bermuda is at the final stages of confirming the Cayman Islands as one of their opponents during Classic Week while the women's teams from the United States and the British Isles will be returning to face each other on Finals Day.

New Zealand dominated the Classic in the early years, winning on seven occasions from 1989 to 1996, but since then it has been the Barbarians on four occasions while Argentina and South Africa have each taken the title once.

Andy Haden of New Zealand, without a kicker in his squad, has brought in Eric Rush with nine caps, Stephen Bachop with five and Craig Innes with 17.

CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Oct. 11: Classic Street Party, Bermudiana Road

Oct. 12: South Africa v Portugal/Spain, 2 p.m; New Zealand v United States, 3.30 p.m.

Oct. 13: Argentina v France, 7p.m.; Barbarians v Canada, 8.30 p.m.

Oct. 15: Semi-finals

Oct. 16: Semi-finals

Oct. 18: Bermuda v Cayman Islands, 4 p.m.; Plate final, 5.30 p.m.; Women's International, 6.45 p.m.; World Classic final, 8 p.m.