Momentum is starting to gather for next month?s 18th annual World Rugby Classic which runs from November 6 to 12.

South Africa will return as defending champions and with what appears on paper to be a stronger side.

While 2011 World Cup discussions have kept Francois Pienaar out of the team, Naka Drotske, 26, and Rassie Erasmus, 36, both recent internationals, will form part of a strong South African squad.

Australia, last year?s beaten finalists, and much wiser following their long absence, will be bringing Troy Coker.

France, beaten by South Africa in a heated semi-final last year, will also have some big names in their team, including wingers Philippe Bernat-Salles and Emile N?Tamack as well as Jean Luc Sadourny.

Former French captain Olivier Roumat, the giant second row forward, will lead the team.

New Zealand, for many years the perennial winners but off the boil in the last few classics, will be bringing in a number of younger players including a number of Maoris as well as players who have represented Japan and Samoa and some speedsters from the New Zealand sevens teams.

Eroni Clarke at centre, Paul Simpson, Junior Ton?u, Lia Falaniko and Daniel Power as well as sevens internationals Matua Parkinson, Mike Scott and Carl Izzat are all included in a rejuvenated New Zealand team.

The Classic Lions include one of the top scorers in international rugby, Kenny Logan of Scotland, as well as Carl Hogg of Scotland, Dave Evans of Wales and Laim Toland of Ireland.

Both Canada and the USA have given firm indications that they intend to cause a few upsets this year with former England international Mike Rafter coaching the Canadians.

For Canada, Colin McKenzie, Shane Thompson, Julian Loveday and captain Tom Woods stand out while the US will feature Andre Bachelet, Jon Hinkin, Doug Brown, Mike Skahan and Steve Robke.

Argentina will, as usual, bring a team full of internationals including Fabian Turnes, Raul Perez, Cristian Viel, Facundo Soler, Juan Jose Angelillo and Gustavo Jorge.

But it is in the women?s international where most of the caps have accumulated with the Lionesses squad boasting just under 1,000 caps for England, Scotland and Wales while the US Golden Eagles have just over 200 caps.

Bermuda will feature on the finals day playing against the losing team of the plate semi-final.

November 6: South Africa v Canada; Classic Lions v USA

November 7: France v Argentina; Australia v New Zealand

November 9: Plate semi-final; Classic semi-final

November 10: Plate semi-final; Classic semi-final

November 11: World Rugby Classic Banquet

November 12: Bermuda international, Plate final, women?s international and Classic final.