A youngster from Winchmore Hill admits he is counting down the days until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off after he was named an official mascot.

Along with his Saracens team, Hugo Collins attended a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup at Sarries last season.

It was there that the 11-year-old impressed with his rendition of the national anthem, which has now earned him his own spot in the tournament.

The 11-year-old will now be Romania’s mascot when they face Ireland at Wembley on September 27, and the Arundel Gardens resident can’t wait to get going.

He said: “I’m really pleased with myself. I am shocked and honoured to be a mascot.”

Hugo will be one of 96 official Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots selected by Land Rover as part of its ‘We Deal in Real’ campaign.

“I am looking forward to getting on the pitch, standing close to the Ireland team and being in front of the crowd.

“One of my friends said: ‘I wish I was you’. He is very pleased.”

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 Hugo's shoes.

Mr Moody said: “Hugo has earned the right to be part of such an amazing experience 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.”