Woodside Park youngster Sam Legg 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 Saracens team, Legg attended a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup at Newcastle Falcons last season.

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

Legg will now be Wales’ mascot when they take on Australia at Twickenham on October 10, and the JCoSS pupil can’t wait to get going.

“I was so excited when I found out that I called 50 people,” said Legg, one of 96 official Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots selected by Land Rover as part of its ‘We Deal in Real’ campaign.

“When I found out that I was chosen to be a rugby World Cup mascot I felt extremely excited and very privileged to be one of the few people picked.

“It feels like the opportunity of a lifetime and I will remember it for years to come. I love playing rugby, so this is truly awesome.”

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 Legg’s shoes.

“Sam 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.

“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.”

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