Bermuda's tenth annual World Rugby Classic, scheduled from November 9 to 15.

Uruguay will take the place of Japan who have had to withdraw from the Classic as most of their players will be involved in league matches in November.

Japan hosted a Far-East Classic in May involving New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa with New Zealand narrowly defeating South Africa in the final.

Played before large crowds and also shown on national television, the Japanese Rugby Union used the occasion to promote rugby, with over 700 schoolboys attending clinics put on by the visiting internationals.

This year's Bermuda Classic will see the return of New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and Canada while England will join with the Barbarians (Ireland, Scotland and Wales) to form the Classic Lions.

Bermuda's national side complete the eight-team line-up.

This year's tournament will be seen on ESPN International in a one hour programme in December while the new network in the British Isles, Channel Five, has commissioned another one hour programme for broadcast at Christmas.

The event could be one of the most successful so far, according to Classic president John Kane, with new sponsors coming on board, more demands for the corporate hospitality facilities and enquiries from overseas travel agents and individuals way ahead compared to previous years.

"We are building quite a momentum towards 1998, the tenth anniversary of the first Classic, and with Australia and France certain to return we will be looking at regional competitions in South and North America to determine the representatives from those areas,'' said Kane.