LYDFORD youngster Harvey Crocker admits he will never forget his moment in the spotlight after getting the chance to run out as one of Land Rover’s Rugby World Cup 2015 official mascots.

Rugby fan Harvey was handed the responsibility of walking out alongside Uruguay for their 65-3 Pool A defeat by Australia at Birmingham’s Villa Park on September 27.

It came after the seven-year-old was informed that following a competition held at September’s Burghley Horse Trials, when sponsor Land Rover visited with the Rugby World Cup Trophy, he had been chosen as one of 96 official Rugby World Cup mascots.

While emotions were high ahead of running out in front of thousands of spectators, Harvey carried out his job superbly, coming out with the teams and then lining up in front of the Uruguay players for the national anthems.

His memorable day out continued when he then took a seat in the crowd to cheer on the action, with Harvey admitting he couldn’t have asked for a better experience of Rugby World Cup 2015.

Harvey said: ‘It was unbelievably exciting getting the chance to be a mascot and walk out with the Uruguay team for the match. I wasn’t nervous at all, just really, really excited.

‘We had to line up in the tunnel and wait for the players, they were all really big. And then we walked out and it was really loud on the pitch before the national anthems.

‘I went and watched the game with my mum and dad afterwards and we got to see lots of tries.’

Land Rover’s selection of mascots from around the country forms part of their ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign that aims to put grassroots rugby on the global stage during this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Lawrence Dallaglio is one man who knows about the pressure of performing in front of a large audience, having helped England lift the trophy in 2003. The rugby legend admitted he had been impressed with how Harvey rose to the occasion.

Dallaglio said: ‘It is a big responsibility to be picked as a mascot for a home Rugby World Cup but Harvey did a fantastic job. So many people will have been watching in the stadium and all around the world and Harvey can always say that he played a part in the country hosting the competition in 2015.

‘I’ve no doubt the experience will live with the mascots  for a very long time and hopefully it can inspire them going forward, whether that’s maybe one day playing for their country or just continuing to enjoy the sport of rugby which is what it’s all about really.

‘It’s great to have young players from all around the country involved in Rugby World Cup 2015 by inviting them to be mascots.

‘All those international players competing on the pitch would have come through from grassroots level, so the mascots will have got a real sense of what can be achieved.’

Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 Follow @LandRover Rugby #WeDealInReal