an international women's clash.

The USA and England will battle it out in a schedule that also features men's clashes involving Bermuda, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Classic Lions and a joint Spanish and Portuguese side.

President of the Classic, John Kane, said the women's international had come about because of a plea from players in England.

"Mike Rafter, an English international, was approached by some of the internationals in England to see if it could be arranged and from that they got the United States people involved,'' he said.

While women's rugby was Turn to page 19 Classic Continued from page 17 not strong on the Island it was in the United States, Kane said. Such is the strength of the sport over there that the current president of the United States Rugby Union -- once an all male bastion -- is a woman.

In the British Isles there are more than 100 teams competing in six divisions in England, two in Ireland, four in Scotland and two in Wales.

Some of the best names in the men's game will be on the Island for the event as well.

"JPR Williams is coming back. He is the only guy who played in the first Classic in 1988 who is still playing. Wade Dooley, the English Lions lock, will be here as will Tony Copsey, who played 16 times for Wales and Iwan Tukalo, 37 times on the wing for Scotland,'' Kane said.

"We have also got Mark Wyatt, who played 29 times for Canada, who was actually born in Bermuda -- his father was a policeman here. He is making his first visit.'' Other names are yet to be confirmed, but Kane said one thing that was certain was that the event would be bigger and better than ever before.

"There is a lot of interest in it this year,'' he said. "I think what's happened is we have had a lot of overseas enquiries as a result of the television exposure. We had two hours on Fox in the States and Canada and we had two hours on Sky last year and we have got the same programme lined up for this year.'' "A lot of people saw it particularly in the States and in Canada and that's why we are getting these touring sides wanting to come in and be a part of the games.'' The "touring sides'' are Burlington of Canada, British Army Veterans, HMS Cardiff and New Orleans.

World Rugby Classic Schedule November 12: Argentina v Bermuda (2 p.m.); New Zealand v Portugal/Spain (3.30 p.m.).

November 13: Classic Lions v United States (2 p.m.); Canada v South Africa (3.30 p.m.).

November 14: Renegades v Burlington (5.30 p.m.).

November 15: Plate Semi-final (7 p.m.); Classic Semi-finals (8.30 p.m.).

November 17: British Army Veterans v New Orleans (5 p.m.); Police v Burlington (6.30 p.m.).

November 18: England v United States -- Women's International (6 p.m.); Plate Final (7.15 p.m.); Classic Final (8.30 p.m.).

November 19: President's XV v HMS Cardiff (1 p.m.); Mariners v British Army Veterans (2.30 p.m.); Teachers v New Orleans (4 p.m.).