Rugby sevens star Antonio Trofa insists his Honey Badgers side can hold their heads up high despite falling just short of the inaugural 24/Sevens national final.

The Honey Badgers headed to Saracens’ Allianz Park on Sunday for the South East play-offs having enjoyed success at the Middlesex 7s, one of 32 local qualifier tournaments earlier this summer.

Run by England Rugby, 24/Sevens is an exciting new community sevens series that aims to grow rugby and increase participation among men and women in clubs.

The winners of the regional play-offs now progress to the showpiece national grand final event which will be held on July 24, hosted by England Rugby back at Allianz Park.

And while the Honey Badgers were unable to book their place at the final having failed to come out on top in north London, Trofa believes there were still plenty of encouraging signs from his team.

“We’ve really enjoyed being part of the 24/Sevens, it’s great being involved and the competition has been excellent,” he said.

“We’ve got a guy down from Bristol who’s helping us out and someone from our team was meant to fly out to the Caribbean but stayed for the competition, that’s how significant it was.

“We’ve had a fantastic time, we haven’t always played our best at times but with the music going, the atmosphere was great and the chance to play at Allianz is unique – people are watching on and that raises the standard.”

Next month, rugby sevens will make its Olympic Games debut in Rio with Team GB sending both a men’s and women’s team.

There was plenty of talent on show at Saracens on Sunday to suggest that rugby sevens is strong across the country at all levels of the game.

And while their 24/Sevens journey may have come to an end this time around for the Honey Badgers, Trofa is already looking forward to seeing the team improve going forwards.

“Coming to the 24/Sevens is fantastic, we’re used to playing on pitches with potholes in them so to have that professional environment is what we’re all after, and it’s definitely spurring us on to come back,” he added.

“It’s good to play against everyone around, high standards which rub off on you and that brings up your own expectations, your own capabilities and that’s only good for you going forward.

“Having rugby in the Olympics now is fantastic, it’s what people aspire to and if that means that there are more sevens teams and competitions then that’s only a positive.”

England Rugby 24/Sevens, a new exciting grassroots sevens competition for all rugby teams, welcoming anyone who just wants to pick up a ball and run, for fun or glory. Visit www.englandrugby.com/24sevens to get involved.