After making their last appearance in 1999, the French will be back to begin their challenge for the World Rugby Classic title this weekend.

The action, at the National Sports Centre, begins on Sunday when the combined Portuguese and Spanish team take on South Africa and New Zealand tackle the USA.

Prior to these matches a Bermuda XV will line up against the visiting Atlanta Renegades in a one-off match.

The French will begin their quest on Monday when they take on Argentina with the Barbarians meeting Canada at the conclusion.

A plethora of star players will grace the field over the week with Frenchman, Olivier Roumat among the biggest names.

Roumat is regarded as one of the best second row forwards to have played for France, earning 61 caps, eight of them as captain, from 1989 to 1996.

He currently plays for Biarritz and led his club to the 2002 French championship.

One of the key players in the Canadian side hails from Bermuda.

Gareth Rees is the only player to have featured in all four Rugby World Cups and is Canada's top scorer with more than 500 points in 55 appearances.

The New Zealand side features one of the legends of the game.

Buck Shelford played 22 times for his country, 14 of them as captain. He led them to an unbeaten run in international rugby that spanned three years from 1987 to 1990.

Welshman Allan Bateman, who will turn out for the Barbarians, is a former rugby league international. He played 35 times for Wales between 1990 and 2001 and was also a member of the British Lions.

The Plate and Classic semi-finals will take place on Wednesday and Thursday evenings with the finals on Saturday night. The climax will also feature an international match-up between Bermuda and the Cayman Islands as well as a womens' clash between the British Lionesses and the US Golden Eagles.

Classic President John Kane said the event looked like being another success despite problems brought about by Hurricane Fabian.

"There has been huge demand for tickets for this year's Classic," he said.

"With hospitality showing major increases over 2002. The ground is back in shape following great work by the National Sports Centre the Classic volunteers."