Bermuda will try to repeat their giant-killing exploits of last year when the 12th World Rugby Classic gets underway at National Sports Club tonight.

But they will face a tough task against defending champions the Classic Lions, a star-studded side packed with former internationals from Britain, in the week-long tournament's opening game which will kick off at 7.00 p.m.

Former British Lion and Scottish international fullback Gavin Hastings will skipper a team which also includes former Welsh international flyhalf Jonathan Davies.

Flanker Mike Teague, who can boast 27 England caps and four appearances for the British Lions, will make his Classic debut, and Welshman JPR Williams, a regular at the tournament, will also bolster the team, along with the likes of Wade Dooley and Colin Deans.

The Lions' team sheet reads like a `Who's Who' of British rugby over the last decade and Bermuda, though they will have youth on their side, will be very much the underdogs.

Last year, however, the Island team produced a major upset when they defeated South Africa 13-5 on a day when Alvin Harvey made himself a local hero by scoring two tries.

But then they came unstuck in the semi-finals, losing 15-5 to the mighty All Blacks in a hard-fought contest. The Kiwis went on to lose the final to the Lions.

Bermuda coach Peter Shillingford admitted: "Obviously it's going to be a very difficult match for our lads and I just hope people don't expect too much of us this year.

He quipped: "They are a team of very experienced players, but hopefully they will have had a few too many rum swizzles and we can catch them off guard early on.'' Shillingford said there was a potential problem with players being overawed when they came up against big-name opponents -- but they had tried to turn that into a positive force.

"Last year we discussed it at length and I think we've got over it. Now the lads are going out relishing the challenge of playing against names,'' said the coach.

Playing against opponents with massive experience of the top level gave a boost to the Bermuda squad's preparations for the upcoming Caribbean Championships, added Shillingford.

"It shows the lads the level they are going to have to ascend to and also the fitness level they will need,'' he said.

Argentina will play South Africa in tonight's second match, kicking off at 8.30 p.m.

Tomorrow will see an afternoon double-header, with Canada against France kicking off at 2.00 p.m., followed by New Zealand v United States at 3.30 p.m.

Seven-time Classic champions the All Blacks are keen to regain the trophy they last won in 1996 with victory over the Celtic Barbarians.

Indeed, the New Zealanders may feel they have a point to prove after their national team's stunning 43-31 defeat by France in the semi-finals of a Rugby World Cup they were expected to win.

But Andy Haden, giant skipper of the Classic All Blacks team put the situation in perspective.

"I hope we will acquit ourselves well, but there is no resemblance between this and the World Cup and there's no way that winning here could make up for that.'' One university offered grief counselling to New Zealanders after the defeat by the French had rocked the nation.

Haden added: "The country took it extremely hard, and as far as New Zealand is concerned, it's an extremely serious state of affairs. But we will come through it.'' Haden, a lock forward with 41 All Blacks caps to his name, said the Classic produced more competitve matches than some visitng top players were expecting.

"If people go into this taking it lightly, they end up wishing they hadn't,'' said Haden. "Most people who have played at the highest level and come to play here say they didn't know the Classic was so tough.'' The 49-year-old said of tomorrow's first-round clash with the US: "We know they will be younger, fitter and faster and we just hope that at the end of the game that we can come out on top.'' THE BERMUDA SQUAD Bermuda's squad to play in tonight's match against the Classic Lions: Forwards -- Justin Richards, Rod Stewart, Shane Gill (Renegades); Mark Ladyman (Mariners); Freedom Burrows, Bobby Hurdle, Billy McNiven, Dennis Cherry, Pat Cooper (Teachers); Tom Steinhoff, Sean Field-Lament (Police).

Backs -- Josh McGavern, Gavin Corcoran, Danny McGavern (Mariners); Phil Heaney, Colin Targett, Ieuan Morgan, Andy Trinder (Renegades); Heath Robinson, Alvin Harvey, Scott Corriea (Teachers); Shane Richmond, Gareth Davis (Police).