The schedule has been released and the big names are already signing up to compete in this year's World Rugby Classic.

With three months still to go before the popular event, the bulk of the sides have not been released yet, although a number of new players have been announced by the eight sides that are returning to the event.

Ian Jones, New Zealand's most capped lock with 79 appearances for his country, Graeme Bachop, 31 caps for the Kiwis at scrumhalf and Eric Rush, a Sevens specialist and winger, will attempt to strengthen an All Black side who have fallen from the top of the standings in recent years after several title triumphs in the '90s.

France, 2003 winners and defeated by last year's champions South Africa at the semi-final stage, have beefed their side up with the inclusion of two recently-retired stars, Philippe Bernat-Salles, the flying French winger with 41 caps to his credit from 1992-2001 and Raphael Ibanez, with 72 caps for Les Blues as hooker from 1996-2005.

The Springboks, whose sprightly team romped to victory last time out, are also further strengthening their side with the inclusion of James Dalton, 43 caps as hooker, and Mark Andrews, 77 caps in the second row.

The defending champions open their account against the Canadians ? who have already played a warm-up game against the US team ? on Sunday, November 6 and the event runs until the following Saturday, November 12 when Bermuda will play an international fixture before a women's international and then the plate and main event finals.

In another warm-up game, the Classic Springboks take on the former All Blacks at Newlands in Cape Town tonight as a curtain-raiser for the South Africa/All Blacks Tri-nations match.

Following the success of World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson's testimonial dinner last year at the Classic, another formal event will be held on the Friday of the tournament, November 11, with guest speakers Robert Howley, the former Welsh captain and Lions scrumhalf, and Kenny Logan, the Scottish winger. At the dinner organisers will be honouring some of the players/managers who have devoted so much to the World Rugby Classic over the years.