World Cup winner Mark Regan will be in Bermuda next month as part of a strong Classic Lions' side looking to retain their World Rugby Classic crown.

The former England and Lions hooker will be joined by ex-Wales international Colin Charvis, as well as Shane Byrne and Barry Williams. The quartet have 23 Lions appearances between them, and in Byrne and Williams have two players who were part of last year's triumphant Lions side.

Also coming are former Ireland centre Johnny Bell, Wales wing Ben Breeze, and former St Helen's and Great Britain rugby league start Chris Smith.

Regan is no stranger to Bermuda having visited the Island on a couple of occasions to coach Bermuda's youth teams.

New Zealand meanwhile have also announced a strong squad for the annual week-long rugby festival with a team that includes the likes of former All Blacks, flanker Scott Roberston, prop Paul Thomson and lock Norman Maxwell.

And fly-half Scott Stewart, who was capped 65 times by Canada, will lead a side that includes the likes of hooker Mark Cardinal and wing Freddy Asselin.

Once again Bermuda will open the Classic with a game against English visitors, The Willing RFC, before Australia and France get things underway for real at 2.30 p.m., on Sunday, November 8. The day's second game will see Regan and the Lions take on USA at 4 p.m..

Other group games the following day will see what is likely to be a fiesty clash between Argentina and New Zealand, while South Africa begin their bid to regain the title against Canada.

Saturday's finals day will start with Bermuda under-19s taking on Don Mills under-19s, and then an over-35 clash between The Golden Onions and Wild Geese.

Classic Lions: Andrew Howell (Wales), Mark Regan (England), Barry Williams (Wales), Shane Byrne (Ireland), Mark Blair (Ireland), Mark Cornwell (England), Derek Eves (England), Anthony Foley (Ireland), Colin Charvis (Wales), John Dudley (England), Rory Jenkins (England), Dave Scully (England), Scott Benton (England), Brian O'Meara (Ireland), Derek McAleese (Ireland), Craig Emmerson (England), Johnny Bell (Ireland), John O'Neill (Ireland), Ben Breeze (Wales), Chris Smith (GB & St. Helens), Stuart Moffat (Scotland).