With no senior or junior rugby being played because of the waterlogged pitches, Enfield Ignatians made use of the time off to advance their preparations for the club's Big Day Out at Saracens’ Allianz Park.

Saturday, March 1 will see all the club’s teams, from the minis to the seniors, play a game against assorted opposition in what will be 12 hours of continuous rugby.

Harold Pritchard, Ignatians’ youth chairman and driving force behind the project, is pleased with how the preparations are going.

He said: “There’s still a lot of work to be done but I’m pleased to report that most of the games are now sponsored.”

Interest in the event is likely to grow as Ignatians have been invited to appear on the Rugby Tonight Show on BT Sport on Wednesday, February 26.

Pritchard said: “It is something we are very excited about at the club. It is a great bit of publicity for the event, and it will give us the opportunity to connect with a much wider audience by inviting anybody who has an interest in rugby to join a giant party for free at a professional stadium.”

Entry to Allianz Park on the Big Day Out is free and the club will be running buses from Donkey Lane to Allianz Park throughout the day.

Non-players will need to book via transport manager, Nikki Worcester, to secure a coach seat. The cost is £5 per head.

To contact Nikki email nikkiwooster@tiscali.co.uk.