Salvatore Perugini will be the star attraction for Italy at next month’s World Rugby Classic at the North Field, National Sports Centre.

Perugini, a tight-head prop, is his country’s most capped player with 83 appearances from 2000 to 2012, including the 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups.

The 36-year-old, who played for Toulouse in the French Top 14, was part of the Barbarian team that defeated the New Zealand All Blacks in 2009.

Also named in Italy’s 25-man squad is Fabio Ongaro, the team’s former captain, who made 40 appearances for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership, Carlos Nieto, who also played for Saracens as well as Gloucester, and Ramiro Pez, who turned out for Leicester Tigers and Bath.

New Zealand have also announced their 22-man squad for the classic, which will be held from November 8 to 15.

The star-studded team, which will be captained by Reuben Thorne, who played 50 times for his country, also includes Troy Flavell, who captained Auckland in the Super Rugby in 2007, and former Northampton Saints utility back Bruce Reihana.

New Zealand, who won the title in 2009 and 2010, will be the only Antipodeans at the classic, with Australia, the 2012 winners, not included in the line-up of teams.

Among the leading lights at this year’s tournament will be Percy Montgomery, South Africa’s most capped player.

The 2007 World Cup winner joins former Test team-mates Stefan Terblanche and De Wet Barry in the Classic Springboks squad.

Also sprinkling some stardust on this year’s tournament is Mike Tindall, a World Cup winner with England in 2003. Tindall made 75 appearances during an England career spanning 11 years.

Felipe Contepomi, one of Argentina’s most decorated players, is also sure to add some bums-off-seats excitement. The opening game of the tournament pits Italy against South Africa on November 9 at 2.45pm, with the Classic Lions playing United States at 4pm.

All games will be held at North Field.