ILKLEY Rugby Club officials are expecting their biggest-ever crowd at Stacks Field on Saturday when star-studded Bath come to town.

The Premiership giants are taking on Yorkshire Carnegie in their first pre-season friendly.

It is a match that is capturing the imagination of the local rugby followers with Bath’s squad including England regulars Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and George Ford.

The clash between Carnegie and Bath will kick off at 6pm and is part of a double header which sees Ilkley take on Blackburn at 1,30pm.

Ilkley official Tom Gillon, who has been overseeing the arrangements, said: “We have been getting lots of calls and emails from Bath followers and the indications are that we could have a crowd of around 2,000.

“This is a big day for the club and a great honour to have a famous club like Bath playing at Stacks Field.”

There are no advance tickets for the game. Admission is £10 with under-18s being admitted free.

Ilkley have arranged extra car parking in East Holmes Field which is adjacent to Stacks Field.

Gillon added: “A lot of planning has gone into the day and we are all looking forward to it.

“For a club like us it is an honour being asked to stage a game like this.”