and three Frenchmen join Bermuda's best for the 19th Annual Easter Classic at National Sport Club.

Perennial visitor Brendan Mullin, the much-capped Irish centre, is back for his fifth Classic appearance, while countryman Keith Crossan will be joining the action for the fourth time.

Also in the Irish Invitational line-up will be Richard Wallace, who played on Ireland's right wing in their four internationals this season, and full-back David Beggy, a member of Ireland's squad to tour New Zealand this summer and a talented Gaelic football.

The Bermuda Invitational XV, captained by Ali Nicoll of Renegades, will be boosted by the skills of French wings Phillippe Daubas and Jean-Marc Lafonde, and centre Phillippe Guillard.

The trio will be the first Frenchmen to grace the Classic since Patrick Mesny back in 1981.

"I think it will be a good game,'' said organiser John Kane. "We have some really entertaining players and it should be an excellent, highly-competitive match.'' Kane's efforts to organise the traditional Easter Sunday game were seriously hampered this year by the rescheduling of a full programme of English league games for a weekend usually free of domestic matches. The Irish Cup semifinals are also taking place this weekend tying up a number of would-be Classic participants.

"It's important to keep the tradition going,'' said Kane, who admitted that at one stage it looked as though there would be no game.

After a hectic season, and with tour games looming this summer, many of the internationals Kane had hoped to lure to Bermuda said they were tired and needed a break. This accounts for the absence of one of the Classic's premier crowd-pleasers of recent years, the fast-moving Jeremy Guscott.

"This might not be one of the most star-studded games Bermuda has hosted,'' said Kane. "But I think we will see some top-quality rugby. And the teams are more evenly-matched this year than they have been in the past.'' There are no forwards among the visitors this year, giving Bermuda's forwards a chance to shine on the big occasion. The Island's most talented backs will also have the opportunity to mingle with the fast Frenchmen and the skillful and experienced Irish internationals.

Mullin, who announced his retirement from international rugby earlier this year, will be captaining the Bermuda-Irish side on Sunday. He arrived in Bermuda on Tuesday and was expected to be joined by the six other overseas players late last night.

"I love it here,'' said Mullin, who first visited Bermuda as a 20-year-old back in 1984. "The Classic is a very social occasion, and I've played in some fantastic games.'' Mullin said he was impressed with the standard of rugby in Bermuda, adding that he noticed improvements each time he visited. "I think the emphasis that's put on developing young talent helps raise the standard. It's all very positive and helps create greater interest in the game.'' Also due to fly in last night was Tony Spreadbury, who will be refereeing Sunday's game. Spreadbury, from England, recently took charge of the Five Nations' encounter between Ireland and Scotland. He will be assisted on Sunday by touch judges Norman Wilson and Steve Ritter of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union.

Training sessions for the two sides have been scheduled for Saturday morning at 11.00 -- Bermuda-Irish will be at Nationals and Bermuda Invitational at Saltus.

The starting line-ups are as follows: Irish Invitational XV David Beggy, Richard Wallace, Brendan Mullin (capt.), Gary Osborne (Police), Keith Croassan, Alan Oliver (Police), Gareth Davies (Police), Dominic Silvester (Renegades), Sean Field (Police), Terry Walsh (Teachers), Alan Gorbutt (Police), Richard Raistrick (Teachers), David Buckley (Mariners), Steve Givens (Renegades) and Nick Doran (Police).

Replacements: Dermot Caslin and Michael Kane (Renegades), Colin Lunn and Mike Deevy (Police), and Neil Alexander (Mariners).

Bermuda Invitational XV Barry Whitehead (Renegades), Mat Gorman (Renegades), Phillippe Daubas, Jean-Marc Lafonde, Phillippe Guillard, Mike McTurk (Mariners), Dave Taylor (Renegades), Ali Nicoll (capt., Renegades), Calum Welsh (Police), Andy Cook (Renegades), Ian McLellan (Police), Bobby Hurgle (Teachers), Dan Cozens (Police), Dave Cooke (Teachers), Billy McNiven (Teachers).

Replacements: Phil Heaney, Alvin Harvey, Shane DeSilva, Jon Harris, Rod Carruthers, Andy Pell.

The Easter Classic is set to kick off at 3.15 p.m. on Sunday, with displays of junior rugby (12.15 p.m.) and mini-rugby (2.30 p.m.) preceding the main event.

But sharing the stage with Bermuda's stars of the present and future, will be famous names of the past in the shape of an Old Bermuda side who will take on Niagara Old Boys at 1 p.m.

Roy Dunn expects to be joined for the senior enounter by Geoff Yeomans, Peter Simons, Donny Hammer, Terry Maxwell, Mike Foulger, Harley Hayward, Cottie Outerbridge, Serge Leibowitch, Pat McHugh, George Hammond, Tony Roache, Steve Marklew, Brian Mewett, Charles Hollis, John Lalone, Tom Watters, Ken Finsness, Stuart Outerbrige, and any other old boy who feels up to the challenge.

Old Bermuda will face the touring Niagara Old Boys again next Wednesday at Nationals at 5 p.m.

BRIGHTEST STAR -- Brendan Mullin, right, will be one of only seven internationals in Sunday's Easter Rugby Classic.