season tomorrow at 4.30 p.m. when they play defending champion Renegades, organisers of the World Rugby Classic are busy finalising arrangments for their annual rugby feast in November.

And if early indications are anything to go by, this year's event promises to be the most prestigious to date, with a revised format designed to ensure that every game will be crucial to the final standings.

Only six countries -- two less than in recent classics -- have been invited to take part this time with competition beginning on Sunday, November 7 in the form of round-robin play.

Defending champions New Zealand will once again be installed as tournament favourites to claim their fourth consecutive World Veterans title.

Led once again by giant lock forward Andy Haden, the 1993 Classic All-Blacks show few changes from last year's victorious side, and the celebrated name of number eight Wayne Shelford has been added to their roster.

Haden's team has already been involved in a three-match charity tour of the New Zealand provinces in preparation for their defence of the Bermuda title.

England, 1992 runners-up, have included several names to strengthen their squad from last November. Fullback Dusty Hare, wing Mike Harrison, outside half Huw Davis and prop Jeff Probyn return to the island along with regulars Steve Smith, Paul Rendall, Bob Hesford and Mike Rafter. Also, manager Mike Coley is planning to add either prop Gareth Chilcott or lock Paul Ackford to their already intimidating line-up.

The Australian team shows few changes from the outfit which produced such spine-tingling play last year. All-Black standout Grant Batty will once again switch jerseys to represent the veteran Kangaroos, playing alongside outside half Glen Ella and fullback Roger Gould.

The USA Eagles, whose unique rugby talents were sorely missed last year, will be back in 1993. Rounding out the overseas teams will be France.

It has been three years since the French sent a full side to the World Classic, although their national presence has been maintained by individual players who have suited up with Bermuda in 1991 and last year.

France will feature several changes from previous visits, led by lock Claude Spanghero and outside half Patrick Lescarboura. Fullback Serge Blanco, undeniably one of the most exciting players in the modern game, is set to make a belated appearance on Bermuda soil adding to the illustrious names who have played at the National Sports Club.

Missing from this year's Classic will be teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In recent Classics, too many non-international veterans have been included on their squads so these teams have agreed to a one-year hiatus from the tournament.

Their absence will serve as an advantage for Bermuda since top internationals like flanker Phillip Matthews, skipper of Ireland's 1991 World Cup team, wing men Trevor Ringland and Keith Crossan and centre David Irwin have accepted invitations to join the home side.

Several other Scottish and Welsh representatives will be named later this month.

World Cup referee Les Peard will lead the officials overseeing the event.

Some of the greatest names of rugby's storied past will also be present, with Willie John McBride, Syd Millar, Gordon Brown and Cliff Morgan making the pilgrimage to Bermuda, adding to the distinguished off-field presence as honoured guests of the Classic.