Rory to be World Cup Mascot

Date: 01 September 2015

A lucky Hoppers youngster is counting down the days until he plays a part in the Rugby World Cup.

Rory Brooks’ enthusiastic motivational, pre-match speech to the England team has earned him a spot alongside global rugby superstars when England host the event next month.

Rory on the touchline as a ballboy for the 1st XV

Rory on the touchline as a ballboy for the 1st XV

The 11-year-old who is soon to start at Lancaster Grammar School attended a Land Rover sponsored rugby festival at Vale of Lune along with his Preston Grasshoppers team. He joined the queue of hopeful’s who had the choice of singing the national anthem or saying a few motivational words to the England team in front of a cameraman.

His patriotism stood out and has now given him the chance to be one of 96 official mascots at the Rugby World Cup.

Now Rory, from Fulwood, Preston, is ready to be in the spotlight at the home of English rugby union as Italy’s mascot when they take on France at Twickenham on September 19. He’ll be walking out with Sergio Parisse, standing alongside the Italian team during the national anthems and then watching the match with his very proud parents.

He said: “I feel very excited and I am very happy to do it.”

“I decided to have a try because I had nothing to lose.”

“I forgot about it later on and then my dad said he had great news and showed me the letter when it arrived in August.”

“My best friend said: ‘Hopefully you won’t trip on the pitch!”

“But everyone said they were looking forward to seeing me on TV.”

World Cup winner Lewis Moody knows just how important a Rugby World Cup is having helped England lift the trophy in 2003. And the Land Rover ambassador admits he would love to be in Rory’s shoes.

He said: “Rory has earned the right to be part of such an amazing experience as a home Rugby World Cup and to be honest I am jealous.”

“I’d have bitten your arm off to play in a home Rugby World Cup – I was too young and immature in 1999 and now sadly I’m too old and too mature.”

“Sometimes a Rugby World Cup can seem a bit inaccessible to people so the fact that Land Rover have been taking the Webb Ellis Cup around the country and also selecting mascots is fantastic.”

“It’s like Rugby World Cup 2015 is coming to you – I love that.”

“It’s inviting young players to get involved with Rugby World Cup, understand what it’s about and get excited by it – it’s brilliant.”

Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 and is recruiting all 96 official mascots for the Tournament as part of its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign.

Everyone at Hoppers is very proud of you Rory, We hope you have a great day at Twickenham.

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