Australia are returning to Bermuda's World Rugby Classic.

Having been banned some 10 years ago after their players performed what was considered an ‘over the top' skit at the traditional Front Street party, the Wallabies then stayed away of their own accord.

But Classic president John Kane confirmed yesterday that they had now accepted an invitation to play in October 2004's week-long festival.

“Tim Horan, the Australian international, approached me at a rugby dinner in London last week, saying he wanted to fulfil one last ambition before finally retiring, and that was to play in the Classic,” said Kane yesterday.

“It was gratifying that he approached us, particularly as Tim has been one of the outstanding Australian internationals over the past dozen years, having played on 80 occasions for his country, scoring 140 points.”

Kane noted that Horan was just one of three players to win two World Cups, the first in 1991 and again in 1999 when he was named Player of the Tournament.

He is about to retire from English club, Saracens, and will use the nucleus of the Australian 1999 World Cup team to compete in the Classic.

Kane pointed out, however, that Australia's re-entry left organisers with two problems - securing an additional sponsor to meet travel expenses and deciding which team from last year to leave out.

He also noted that the change in date this year - the first matches will be played at the National Sports Centre on Sunday, October 11 - had found favour with many, particularly the corporate hospitality clients.

The Classic, he said, was sold out for Finals Day and 90 percent sold out for the semi-finals, while the opening day is close to 75 percent sold.