Rugby week This week is commonly known as Rugby Week in Bermuda as the island gets invaded by big strapping blokes well past their prime, but not when it comes to drinking. Eight nations consisting of France, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Argentina and a Lions squad showcase ex-international XV's in what was last year the best sporting week of the Bermudian calendar.

The Bermuda Rugby Classic started yesterday and continues until Saturday and not surprisingly involves a lot of drinking. I could if didn't value my manhood go every night but I have decided just to do Wednesday, which is the first night of the semi-finals.

A quick glance down the squad lists and 'a Google' tells me that Colin Charvis (Wales), Breyton Paulse (South Africa), Lisandro Arbizu (Argentina), Jeremy Paul (Australia), David Auradou (France) and Axel Foley (Ireland) are the most recognisable names but like last year JPR Williams and Willie John McBride are part of the Lions official party and will be cheering on from the beer tent/sidelines. All joking aside though I have to say that last year I was taken aback by how hard the players played, to be fair rugby players of any level don't know how to play any other way.

Yesterday the Lions dispatched a Classic USA team 29-5 and I am told that the French and the Wallabies drew 0-0, but then after two periods of extra time in what was an awful apology of a match, the bar was calling and they held a penalty shoot-out. Has this ever happened before? Stuart Pinkerton missed and the French won 3-2! The Lions won the title last year but a little birdie told me that a strong Argentinian outfit are the team to beat.  ¶ 16:09