January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Rugby Lions will try to retain Classic title
Defending champions the Lions and South Africa, the team they toppled in last year's final, have the strongest squads.
But the Australian squad, which includes a string of rugby sevens stars, is tipped as an outside bet for the title by organiser John Kane.
Among the biggest crowd-pleasers at the national stadium next month will be Welsh back rower Colin Charvis.
Powerful
The 36-year-old, as famous for his wild afro as for his marauding runs from the base of the scrum, forms part of a powerful Lions pack which includes three hookers with more than 100 international caps between them.
England's Mark Regan, Wales's Barry Williams and Ireland's Shane Byrne - fierce rivals in the Six Nations and the World Cup for decades - will unite in the front row for the Classic Lions.
South Africa, beaten finalists last season and winners for the three previous years, also shape up well as they bid to win their title back. Centre Robbie Fleck and winger Breyton Paulse give the Springboks enough pace to rip any defence to shreds.
Paulse, a former South African player of the year, and Fleck, who played 31 times for his country, will be the most potent weapons in a side that includes former Sharks centre Deon Kayser and Pieter Muller, who won 33 caps for the national side.
Former All-Black Scott Robertson, mercurial French centre Stephane Glas and Aussie powerhouse Jeremy Paul are among the best the rest of the nations have to offer.
For Argentina, second-row giant Pedro Sporleder, who played in a record four World Cups, and skillful fly-half Lisandro Arbizu, capped 86 times for the Pumas, are the stand-outs.
"It's a strong line-up," said Kane. "There's some outstanding players in the Lions and South Africa teams.
Running
"Australia have a number of sevens players - they must have figured out that is the best way to play this tournament.
"You don't need big, rambling forwards, it is more of a running game."
Kane admitted the Canadians and Americans have powerful players but the sides with genuine depth of international experience always tended to hold sway.
He said: "It may be a running game but it is still a thinking man's game, you see that when the more established teams come up against sides like Canada and the USA. The really experienced players can just control a game."
Kane's tip for this year's tournament is a repeat victory for the Lions.
"I don't want to put the kybosh on them but it is a very strong side," he said.
The Classic begins on November 8. For details and ticket prices log on to www.worldrugby.bm[[In-content Ad]]
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