A Bermuda Select XV will take on Lloyds RFC in the first game of the World Rugby Classic late this afternoon.

The game, which traditionally opens the tournament on Sunday, was switched to today because Lloyds could not get to the Island in time.

However, the hope is that because tomorrow is a public holiday the Island's supporters will turn out in large numbers for the match, which is due to kick-off at 5.45 pm.

Peter Dunkerley will lead a side that includes Bermuda Under-19 players Nick Chilvers and Aldo Campbell, as well as the likes of Tom Healy, Bobby Hurdle and vice-captain Thomas Greenslade.

The match is the appetiser for an evening's rugby that will also see the first two semi-finals of this year's competition take place. In the Plate competition Canada will clash with the US before the main course, the Classic semi-final match between Classic Lions and Classic Springboks.

Bermuda may well be represented in that match as well, as they often have been in the past, with Bermuda Barbarians' Brendan Plessis pulling on the Springboks jeresey once more.

Plessis played in the South Africans' opening day 46-14 win over the US, but may spend more time on the bench than on the pitch this time around.

"I've been told 'to bring my kit but don't expect to play," said Plessis. "It really depends on what the (team) doctor says about injuries. I guess I'll come down there and don't be surprised to see me out there, but it's not for definite."

The Barbarians player, whose side play Atlanta Renegade Old Boys on Saturday, has represented the Springboks on more than one occasion at the Classic, and was a member of the squad that won the tournament in 2004.

"I've known these guys for years and years. 2003 in fact was when I first had a run-out with them," he said. "And then they wanted help sorting out some sponsorship, so I got them in with Catlin Insurance.

"The following year they came back and brought Francois Pienaar, and the rest of the guys and I played the whole tournament with them. This year I bumped into Mark Wood, who's coach/captain/player, whatever he is, and he said 'hey do you fancy a game', so I had a run-out."

Bermuda's game against Lloyds is at 5.45 pm, while Canada against USA kicks-off at 7.15 pm and the Lions' semi-final clash against the Springboks is due to start at 8.30 pm.

Bermuda XV: Paul Dobinson, Lambert Schreuder, Allan Steynor, Nick Chilvers, Thomas Greenslade (Vice Captain), David Rourke, Peter Dunkerley (Captain), Scott Brown, Aldo Campbell, Bobby Hurdle, Kris Furbert, Darren Richardson, Henry Paddison, Gareth Williams, Tom Healy, Tom Edwards, Durnferd Davis, David Pringle, Jack Ellison, Ralshon Douglas, Greg Fraser, David Porter, Ian Henderson.