John Kane is delighted at the prospect of the World Rugby Classic returning closer to its former glory this year.

After three years of the ever-popular tournament being affected by the Covid pandemic, the event is finally set to return back to normality for its 35th instalment at the National Sports Centre from November 3 to 9.

Most notable is the inclusion of both Ireland and South Africa, taking the tournament back to its full contingent of an eight-team format, which also includes Lions, Italy, Argentina, Canada, the United States and defending champions France.

As well as the increase of competing nations, there is also an expectation for larger spectator numbers, including upwards of 50 companies showing an interest of corporate ticket packages, much to the delight of Kane, president of the World Rugby Classic.

“A 35th anniversary is known as a Coral Anniversary and that is quite appropriate for Bermuda as we return to normality,” said Kane.

“This year we are planning to return to the pre-Covid format with eight teams participating over five match days, which is great for the tournament.

“It’s nice to be able to get back to more of a normality. We’ve got something like 50 to 60 companies showing interest from both on island and overseas which is really good.

“Not only do we have more teams involved this year, but I’m hopeful that spectator numbers will also be up again. In 2019 before Covid, the Classic entertained 8,000 people in the corporate facilities while another 12,000 came through the gates on the public side.

“Getting back to those sort of numbers is not only great for the Classic, but also for Bermuda’s international and local business. The Classic has been a very important week for the island in that sense.”

On the field, Kane is expecting Ireland and South Africa to mount a serious title challenge with both already naming some stellar names among the perspective squads.

Among the Irish squad are the likes of Jack McGrath, a prop who played 56 times for Ireland from 2013 to 2019 and gained three caps on the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

He will be joined by former flanker Sean O’Brien who also represented the country 56 times from 2009 to 2019 and domestically played 126 times for Leinster, amassing four Heineken Cup medals from 2008-2019.

Andrew Trimble, capped on 70 occasions from 2005 to 2007 scoring twenty-one tries, has also been included, along with Sean Cronin, who was capped 72 times, and the imposing figure of 6ft 10 Devin Toner, who represented Ireland 70 times as well as being a stalwart for Leinster, playing 280 times, winning four Heineken Cups in the process.

However, the Irish will face stiff competition from fellow newcomers South Africa, who have some big names within their ranks.

Among them, Bismarck du Plessis, who was capped on 83 occasions, as well as Morne Steyn, who picked up 68 caps for his country, scoring an impressive 742 points.

Also set to feature are Wynand Olivier, a centre, who was capped 38 times, Zane Kirchner, a utility back who represented South Africa 31 times and Lwazi Mvovo, capped 19 times.

“Ireland have a lot of very strong players already named in their squad and South Africa also have some very good players. I think it could well be between those two sides,” added Kane, who is still waiting for full squad lists from back-to-back champions France and Argentina, who themselves won the title three times in a row between 2016 and 2019.

“France look set to bolster their team from last year and I think there will still be some more names to come from Argentina and also Italy.

“There are some very good names already confirmed, but I still we will get some more before the week of the tournament.

“One of the interesting things about the draw, which was done a long time ago, is that South Africa and Ireland have been kept apart, which is exciting.

“That also happened last year, where the two best teams as it turned out, France and Argentina, reached the final.”