The eyes of the world will be on Japan when they take the field against Scotland, and pride of place as their mascot for the Rugby World Cup clash will be Leicester Tigers fan Rory Hammond.Japan recorded arguably the biggest shock in World Cup history when they stunned South Africa on Saturday afternoon, beating the two-time champions 34-32.
The Brave Blossoms aim to follow up the result this Wednesday (2.30pm) against Scotland – playing their first game of the tournament – and leading Japan out will be 10-year-old Tigers fan Rory.
“It will be awesome,” said Rory, a member of the Junior Tigers Club. “I can’t wait to go on the pitch and experience the atmosphere.”
Rory, who lives near Milton Keynes and plays for Towcestrians, won a competition run by Land Rover, partners of the Rugby World Cup and the Aviva Premiership, for which he had to film a video audition to be an official mascot.
Organisers received thousands of entries, and Rory’s was picked out by Tigers legend Lewis Moody and fellow World Cup winner Jason Robinson.
Rory, who has attended Tigers Rugby Camps at Stamford RFC, said: “I was really surprised. I have never really won anything so it’s fantastic.
“I have never been on the pitch before so that is something I’m really excited about. It should be a really good game.”
Click here for more details on the Junior Tigers Club and click here for more details on Tigers Rugby Camps.
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All eyes on Japan v Scotland - and Tigers fan Rory
22 September 2015 4:38 PM
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