January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.

Rugby Classic promises to be more competitive


By James [email protected] | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Munster legend Anthony Foley, former France star Christian Califano and South African flanker Bobby Skinstad are among the stars signed on for this year's World Rugby Classic.

Irish hooker Shane Byrne, who played 41 times for his country, is also part of a stellar line-up of recently retired internationals that organizer John Kane believes will make this year's event one of the most competitive in years.

The class of 2008 will be younger, fitter and more motivated with many of them still playing at a high level.

"The South Africans have really come to the wicket this year. They've got a very strong team with some recently retired internationals of a very high calibre."

As well as 32-year-old Skinstad, who played in the '99 World Cup and captained the Barbarians on several occasions, the Springboks line-up includes former vice-captain Robbie Fleck, noted for his blistering pace, and flying winger Breyton Paulse who scored 130 points in his 64-game international career.

The Lions, the only team other than the South Africans to win this title in the last four years, have also selected a squad with a view to reclaiming their crown.

Foley has been the talisman for Munster - one of Ireland's most successful rugby clubs - for over a decade.

He holds the all-time record of 77 caps in the Heineken Cup - rugby's equivalent of the UEFA Champions League - and captained his club to glory in the 2006 tournament.

"I think it has definitely gone up a notch this year," said Kane.

"The South Africans look like the team to beat but the Lions and the French are both very strong.

"A lot of the players competing now have very recently retired from international rugby. The standard should be very high."

Christian Califano, capped 72 times for his country, is the stand-out name for the French.

He was a member of France's Grand Slam teams of 1997 and 1998 and the World Cup squads of 1995 and 1999.

Along with 33-year-old former Stade Francais winger Thomas Lombard, described by Kane as a 'flying machine' he'll add a dose of youthful energy to the Gallic contingent.

Other experienced players in the Classic line-up include Frank Bunce, who played 55 times for the All Blacks and Aussies Jeremy Paul and David Knox.

The Classic kicks off on November 8 with the final on the 15th.[[In-content Ad]]

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