By James Gray

Mottingham youngster Harvey Jeffrey 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 Jeffrey was handed the responsibility of walking out alongside France for their 38-11 Pool D victory over Romania at London’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

It came after the Blackheath Rugby Club player was informed that following an audition at the Wasps Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup last season, he had been chosen as one of 96 official Rugby World Cup mascots.

And while emotions were high ahead of running out in front of thousands of spectators, Jeffrey carried out his job superbly, walking out with the teams and then lining up in front of the France 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 Jeffrey, a pupil at Bickley Park School, admitting he couldn’t have asked for a better experience of Rugby World Cup 2015.

“It was just breathtaking really I really enjoyed it,” said Jeffrey.

“My favourite moment was probably when the French captain Thierry Dusautoir came up and spoke to me and asked me some questions and also when you are in the tunnel and you hear the noise from outside.

“Thierry asked me if I played rugby and asked how old I am and I said to him I hope you win and they did! It was incredible.

“I think it will be New Zealand or Ireland that will win. I think New Zealand are just the best in the world and Ireland have come up in the past year and I think they might have a good chance.

“I will definitely be watching the rest on the games on TV at home. I really enjoy rugby, I think England will get to the quarter finals or maybe the semi finals, if they play really really well.

“I sang the national anthem to win the competition which was God Save the Queen, I will always remember the experience.”

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, and the Land Rover ambassador admitted he had been impressed with how Jeffrey rose to the occasion.

“It is a big responsibility to be picked as a mascot for a home Rugby World Cup but Harvey did a fantastic job,” said Dallaglio.

“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 and is recruiting all 96 official mascots for the Tournament as part of its 'We Deal In Real' campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal