The World Rugby Classic will be televised live this year for fans who are unable to make it out to the games at the National Sports Centre's north field.

Classic boss John Kane said yesterday that they have joined with Fresh Creations Limited (FreshTV Cable 3) to show many of the games.

"I'm delighted that we are bringing the Classic, live, to a wider audience both here in Bermuda and also on the Internet, around the world.

The Classic has been seen, for the past 15 years, on Sky Sports in a two-hour highlight programme which is broadcast in the British Isles and Europe some six weeks after the event and, as such, brings a great deal of publicity to the event and to Bermuda.

The broadcast over the internet has already had a wonderful reaction from the team managers in Canada, the United States, Argentina and New Zealand and is a great addition to the event," said Kane.

The 22nd edition of the annual Classic, which starts on Sunday, will feature teams from Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland, South Africa and the USA.

Elmore Warren, President and CEO of Fresh Creations Limited said yesterday: "For those unable to make it to the stadium to enjoy this annual sporting event, our live broadcasts are almost as good as being there.

Also for those families and friends of the visiting teams that couldn't travel to Bermuda, we'll be streaming the action on FreshTV's website www.fresh.bm so now they can now enjoy watching the games from their own countries.

After our last live sporting broadcast, Cup Match, we polled our viewers to see if they would like to have access to more of our special events on-line.

The response was overwhelmingly 'yes', so we are now pleased to be able to offer Pay-per-View for the entire World Rugby Classic."

The streaming element on www.fresh.bm will be available to the public worldwide, with the exception of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia due to Sky Sports restrictions.

A $5.00 fee will be applied to those wishing to view each game via the Internet or viewers may become a FTV member for $60.00/year and have 24 access to the network including it's other live sporting events.

Kane said: "We are always trying to think of something new for the Classic and not to put a pun on it, but we try and keep the Classic fresh."

Asked who he was tipping to win this year's Classic, which runs from Sunday, November 8 to Saturday, November 14, Kane said: "I would have to say the Lions are the favourites again – the Lions and South Africa.

"But having said that I am not very good at forecasting these things.

"I would say the Lions and South Africa are the best thinkers, the French and South Americans are more flamboyant and the US and Canadians are hard but they can be outthought." Kane said that over the years he has seen the large crowds that come to the Classic have not necessarily been rugby people. "But we do pretty good parties," he added.

"We bring a lot of money into the economy – and in fact have helped start up businesses here. Look at all the caterers and tents (that we use).

"That really didn't exist to any great degree 22 years ago when the Classic started.

"Because of the Classic a lot of businesses have developed like the tent business and outside catering.

"We used to make a joke about the tents during the first one (Classic) that there were bullet holes in it from the Second World War! Everything has developed. And Fresh is another development."

Warren from Fresh said they will be using three cameras on the Classic.

Classic tickets are available at the Island Shop, Old Cellar Lane, Hamilton or may be purchased at the gate.

Those interested in being a part of the Classic Club or purchasing a week pass can contact Martine Purssell by emailing martine.e.purssell@marsh.com.

For full details of the matches, social events and bonus extras, please visit www.worldrugby.bm.

Three Bermuda teams will also have the chance to play in front of the thousands of spectators who attend the Classic.

During the first day's play on Sunday, Bermuda will take on Willing RFC from the UK.

On the final day, Saturday, November 14, Bermuda's Under-19 team will take on the visiting Don Mills Under-19 squad from the US and then Bermuda's Golden Oldies to face the Wild Geese from the US before the Plate final and final.