Women's action could prove one of the major attractions at next month's annual World Rugby Classic.

Females representing England, Ireland, Scotland and the United States will represent the Classic Lionesses and the Golden Eagles who will clash at the National Sports Centre.

And among their ranks will be eleven of the most capped players in the game - boasting between them 999 caps - including nine national captains and in total 19 players who took part in the inaugural women's World Cup with 10 of them on the winning side.

At the Millennium Rugby Classic, England and the United States played to a 10-10 draw, putting on a display which delighted the large crowd.

This year an expanded British Isles team returns to play the US as part of a four-match programme on finals' day on Sunday, November 17.

The Lionesses team will send out a squad with 833 caps between them compared to 166 for the US.

And Classic organisers believe they will bring an added dimension to the Classic on a day which will see not only the Classic final and plate final but also Bermuda's national team in action against Jamaica.

In total, this year's Classic will see 13 games played over the space of eight days.

Italy have been added to the men's line-up, joining New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, the US, Canada, Portugal/Spain and the Barbarians (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), who are the defending champions and winners for the past two years.

Canada are being looked at as the possible dark horses this year with captain Tom Woods proclaiming theirs will be "the best team we have ever brought" to the Classic.

However, they face a testing opener against last year's beaten finalists South Africa, whose squad will include three of the 1995 World Cup winning team - James Small, Pieter Hendriks and Jaques Olivier.

Full Classic schedule:

November 10 - New Zealand v Portugal/Spain; Barbarians v Italy

November 11 - Bermuda v Jamaica, Argentina v USA, Canada v South Africa

November 13 and 14 - semi-finals

November 17 - Plate final, British Lionesses v Golden Eagles, Bermuda v Jamaica, Classic Final.

Note: Games passes for all five days are on sale at the Capital G Centre on Reid Street.