World Rugby Classic champions Argentina Legends begin their search for an eighth title when they face Italian Classic XV on Saturday night (8.30pm).

The Argentinians will look to collect some early league points and lay down a marker for the rest of the tournament.

The game follows the opening match in which Classic Canada and Classic Eagles will battle for North American supremacy at North Field, National Sports Centre.

Argentina are the team to beat in the Classic. They dethroned France in 2023 and came back to lift the trophy last year with a 13-7 victory over the Classic Springboks.

They built a reputation for combining South American flair with a mean defence and a hard-nosed pack that is difficult to contain over 60 minutes.

Their consistency in the Classic has made them the benchmark for every other side in the field, with few betting against them being in contention again when the final standings are settled.

On Tuesday, the champions face France Classic Rugby, before they clash with Classic Lions in the last match of the tournament on Friday.

It is a fixture that has produced some of the most memorable moments in recent Classics and the organisers are hoping for another fitting finale to close out the week of rugby.

John Kane, the Classic president, backed Argentina and the Lions to make an impact in the 38th edition of the tournament.

“Argentina will be favourites and the Lions will be second favourites,” Kane said.

“They play each other in the last game on the schedule and we’re hoping for a great encounter.”

Los Pumas coach Eliseo Branca will be counting on the exploits of Gabriel Ascárate and Gonzalo Camacho, who have been key to the team’s success over the years. Both bring vast experience at the highest level and an understanding of what it takes to win in Bermuda’s unique tournament format.

Loose forward Anibal Panceyra Garrido, Argentina’s sole try scorer in the decisive victory over Classic Springboks, is back on island, together with centre Ramiro Gobal, who was knocked out cold by a Boks player in the final match a year ago.

Panceyra Garrido and Gobal’s return provides a timely boost, with Branca keen to have his full complement of key players available as Argentina chase yet another crown.

Meanwhile, as part of Family Day festivities on Sunday, Bermuda Rugby will showcase its youth programmes at 1.30pm before the men’s teams play each other as part of their preparations for the Rugby Americas North Sevens in Trinidad & Tobago at the end of this month.

The local action is a curtain-raiser to the fixture between Classic Lions and France Classic Rugby, starting at 3.30pm.

It promises to be a big day for the domestic game, with the next generation given a chance to shine in front of the Classic crowd before the senior players get a valuable run on the park ahead of their regional assignment.