STROUD youngster Henry Garrard admits he is counting down the days until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks-off after being surprised by Land Rover with the news that he is an official mascot.

Along with his Minchinhampton RFC team, Henry attended a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup last season.

It was there that the 11-year-old impressed with his imaginary speech to the England team ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Final, which has now earned him his own spot in the tournament.

Henry, who will now be Argentina’s mascot when they face Georgia at Kingsholm on September 25, and the Wycliffe High School pupil can’t wait to get going.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s a once in a life time chance. I’m looking forward to walking on to the pitch with all the players. It’s a bit scary but I’m proud to be part of the World Cup,” said Garrard, one of 96 official Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots selected by Land Rover as part of its ‘We Deal in Real’ campaign.

“I was chosen to be a mascot after giving an imaginary team talk. I said ‘welcome to the home of rugby, the greatest game in the world’.”

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 Garrard’s shoes.

“Henry 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,” Moody said.

“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.”