Members of the Classic Barbarians returned home after last year's World Rugby Classic stripped of the title they won against New Zealand's mighty All Blacks in 1993.

But judging by the additions they've made for this year's tournament, which is set to begin on November 12, they are not prepared to go home empty handed again.

Added to this year's roster will be full-back Keith Robertson, number eight Derek White and flanker John Jeffrey, who between them accumulated 125 caps for Scotland during the 1980s.

The Barbarians are bolstered even further by newcomers Keith Crossan, with 41 caps during his decade on the world stage for Ireland, and his former team-mates Fergus Aherne and Michael Bradley, with 16 and 40 caps respectively. Bradley, in fact, was a member of Ireland's World Cup team this year. Another Irishman, lock Willie Anderson, is expected to make a large contribution to manager Willie John McBride's line-up.

The Barbarians are perhaps the team with the most changes from last year, having revamped their line-up at the insistence of Classic president John Kane who obviously wanted the All Blacks to face a stiffer challenge than 1994.

"I think the major change will be that we've got a very strong Celtic Barbarian side this year,'' said Kane, busy putting the finishing touches on the Island's biggest rugby event of the year. "They've actually gone out to get players. I put a lot of pressure on them and I said `look, you're the people we have the closest ties to as far as the British Isles side and the last few years you've come up with fairly weak sides without a lot of effort going in'.'' New Zealand, once again led by the venerable Andy Haden, outscored their opponents 145-5 last year, including a 30-0 whipping of the Barbarians in the final. But missing from this year's line-up will be Alan Whetton, Andy Jefferd and Fred Woodman, who each took part in the scoring frenzy. But even without the trio, they've still got enough firepower to win their sixth title.

The biggest change for the eighth edition of the Classic will be the addition of two teams -- Canada and Argentina -- which will result in eight sides and an extra day of rugby. The tournament will actually end on a Saturday this year since most teams are often depleted on the final day because many players head back home early on Sunday.

Wade Dooley will be a key returnee for England, a disappointment in the Classic since they reached the final in 1991 and 1992. Flanker Peter Winterbottom, England's most capped forward with 58 games, has been called on to replace Huw Davis, who will miss this year's event.

Wing Mike Harrison, who led England try scorers last year with three, is also back, along with flankers Gary Rees and Mark Rigby.

The heart of South Africa's line-up remains intact with Hugh Reece Edwards, Irvin October, Rudie Visagie, Archie Mkele and Burger Geldenhuys signed up again, all of them popular with local fans. Craig Jamieson, who was team manager last year, was replaced only recently, with new management luring centre Danie Derber, one of the Springboks' finest centres with 24 caps. Also making his Classic debut will be scrum half Divan Serfontein, who accumulated 19 caps from 1980-84.

"Last time it was a bit awkward bringing people together for the South Africans,'' said Kane. "But they found out what the tournament's all about now and they're bringing in a stronger team.'' Forming part of the Bermuda side will be players from France and Australia.

Rod McCall, who played 40 times for the Aussies and was a member of this year's World Cup team, will be joined by outhalf Rod McCall, flanker Ross Reynolds and Brett Papworth, one of the most versatile players in the tournament with the ability to play at centre, full-back or outhalf.

The Kangaroos were represented by a full side in the tournament until they were banned last year after bawdy skits during the popular Number One Shed party.

Schedule: November 12: A-New Zealand v Canada (2.00 p.m.); B-England v Argentina (3.30 p.m.).

November 13: C-Bermuda v South Africa (2.00 p.m.); D-Barbarians v USA (3.30 p.m.).

November 15: Loser game A v Loser game D (7.00 p.m.); Winner game A v winner game B (8.15 p.m.).

November 16: Loser game B v Loser game C (7.00 p.m.); Winner game C v winner game D (8.15 p.m.).

November 18: Plate final (12.30 p.m.); Third place play-off (2.15 p.m.); Classic final (3.45 p.m.).

ANDY HADEN -- Returns to Bermuda in quest of a sixth Classic title.