Organiser John Kane may say every year that ?this Rugby Classic is the biggest and best yet? ? but for this year?s event he probably means it.

In just six days the festivities begin in earnest with Canada taking on defending champions France and arguably two of the best sides coming this year, South Africa and New Zealand, playing out the other game on the opening Sunday.

But alongside the galaxy of international stars and all the usual social festivities, this year?s rugby festival ? moved back to its traditional week incorporating the November 11 holiday ? brings with it the extra gravitas of the captain of the World Cup winners.

Martin Johnson, the victorious skipper when England grabbed glory in Australia last year, is holding one of his nine worldwide testimonial dinners in Bermuda on the Tuesday of the Classic, an event that brings increased prestige to an already highly-regarded festival.

?I think Bermuda should be honoured that Martin Johnson has decided to pick the Island as a venue for one of his dinners,? said Kane, whose event has consistently increased in size over the past 17 years since taking over from the Easter Classic as the major rugby showpiece on the Island.

?If you look at the other cities that are also on his circuit, you will see some of the major rugby playing centres in the world.

?For little Bermuda, just a speck in the Atlantic, to be able to put on an event for 750 people like this shows just how far the Classic has come and how this festival of rugby is viewed by those in the game.

?Because of club commitments, Martin won?t actually be playing, but he will be down there when he can and I?m sure he will be introduced on the pitch ? something the fans are really going to love.

?People who know their rugby will see that we have some great names from the game from all countries here to play and to have Martin along as well speaks volumes for our event.?

Francois Pienaar, captain of the South African team that won the World Cup in 1994 and the man who received the trophy from Nelson Mandela in one of the most poignant moments in sport, is here as a speaker for Johnson?s dinner and although he is in the Springbok side, he is unlikely to play every minute of every game.

Last year poor selection meant a weakened South Africa turned up to be duly beaten by the Americans, although this time they should be significantly stronger courtesy of the inclusion of players like Joost ven der Westhuizen, Naka Drotske, Johan Erasmus, Pieter Rossouw and Brendan Venter.

They will face a tough test on opening day, however, against Andy Haden?s All Blacks who feature Fijian, Cook Island, Japanese and Samoan caps in their line-up.

France will be looking good to repeat last year?s final triumph over the United States with enough giants in their team to make the most of the all-important line-outs in a game with uncontested scrums.

The US, whose route to last year?s final was paved with enthusiasm and fitness as much as any genuine flair or skill, are a difficult side to predict, with a lack of big names more than made up for by unwavering eagerness and desire.

After a ten-year absence the Classic Wallabies make a return, although whether the Australians can keep up with the changes in intensity and fitness will be one of the biggest questions to be answered during this year?s tournament.

On finals day a week on Saturday, Bermuda take on Atlanta in an exhibition game as costs and a World Cup qualifying schedule robbed the Island side of any international opposition. But the Bermuda Rugby Union are making the most of the influx of top sporting names by organising a clinic next Monday for all the schools in their youth programme with some of the superstars of the sport.