particularly in Group II -- when the Classic Barbarians look to boost their record to 2-0 while local fans get their first peek at the Bermuda/French and Australian squads.

With a 29-18 victory safely in hand from Sunday, the plucky Barbarians are hoping to make the Wallabies' offensive strategists as flummoxed as England's were following a game in which they were so thoroughly dominating.

The United States, meantime, will be looking to bounce back from a hard-fought and crushing 15-10 loss to New Zealand when they face Bermuda.

The action at National Sports Club begins with the Bermuda/France and US game at 7.30 p.m. followed by the Barbarians and Australia tussle at 8.45 p.m.

Leading the Australians into battle will be prop Enrique (Topo) Rodriguez, playing in his third Classic. Rodriguez, 41, has one of the most extensive backgrounds of any of the Australian players, playing 26 games for the Wallabies from 1984-87.

The Argentinian has lived in Australia for almost a decade now and is one of a handful of players from New South Wales in the line-up, including Phil Clement, John Lambie, Mark Harding, Dominic Vaughan, Tony Melrose and Barry Stumbles.

From Queensland are veterans Andy McIntyre and Chris Roche, with almost 50 caps between them in the 1980s.

But their line-up could be stretched to the limit tonight since three of their players -- Wayne Banks, Kerry Richards and Paul Mills are on the limp following an exhibition game in New York prior to their arrival in Bermuda.

"We can only do things for a couple of minutes that we used to do for 80,'' joked Rodriguez yesterday. "But we're just happy to be here. We want to play hard, but it's not the ultimate thing for us. It would be nice if we left here with a trophy but it won't be the ultimate thing.'' The Barbarians will be bringing a full dollop of respect for the Wallabies into the game, with one-time Ireland captain Phillip Matthews expecting to have his hands full.

"That's going to be a tough one,'' said Matthews, referring to tonight's game. "Those guys have obviously been watching what we've been trying to do.'' But the Barbarians are obviously riding high from their victory over England, seen before the tournament as one of the favourites to dethrone reigning champions New Zealand.

"That side (England) is a very strong side on paper,'' added Matthews. "We would have thought that they would have been more the favourites to get through to the final and give New Zealand or Australia a run for their money.

Maybe they didn't give us enough thought. I don't know.'' The Barbarians foiled England by holding them at midfield during much of the second half. They managed to score eight points in the latter stages of the game, but really never threatened to take control of the game.

"We felt frustrated, we're talking big time,'' said England full-back Paul Boyle. "They played rugby league tactics and they tackled us hard. I wouldn't say we were complacent, we gave it our all, but I think you could tell by the way they were tackling us, very tigerish, that they wanted the game more than us.'' Integral to the Barbarians' offensive arsenal will once again be full-back Colin Wilkinson, who scored on a try, penalty and two conversions. More production like that and he could be ticketed for most valuable player of the tournament.

Bermuda face an inspired US team, coming off a heartbreaking loss to New Zealand. Representing the locals will be Tony Roache, Pat McHugh, Kieron Peacock and Richard Raistrick from Teachers; Alan Gorbutt, Bill Butterworth and Gareth Davies of Police; Stuart Outerbridge, Danny Forsythe, Ali Nicholl, Dave Taylor, Phil Heaney and Tom Dickson of Renegades and John O'Kelly Lynch and Colin Newell of Mariners.

IN THE MIX -- Barbarians action from Sunday's 29-18 win over England. Tonight, they face Australia.