Rugby players descended on mass to the Sunsail stand this afternoon at the London Boat Show. Passers-by did a second-take as the entire NEC Harlequins team gathered to sign rugby balls and give tips to young aspiring players.

The watersports holiday company invited the team to celebrate Sunsail’s new role as a Platinum Sponsor and official Sailing and Resort sponsor of the Rugby Union team.

‘We wanted to chose a sport that didn’t clash with us,’ said Sunsail Marketing Manager Simon Conder. ‘Rugby is perfect as it’s a winter season sport – we’re predominantly summer season – and NEC are very much a family club with a huge kids in the community aspect.’