YOUNG rugby fan Innes Hill has been chosen as an official mascot for this year's Rugby World Cup.

The 12-year-old attended a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup game at Newcastle Falcons last season, along with his team, Darlington's Mowden Park.

It was there the Stokesley School pupil sang the Australian National anthem in a bid to win a mascot place - and his singing impressed the judges so much it earned him his own spot at this year's Rugby World Cup.

Innes, from Middlesbrough, will now be South Africa’s mascot when they face Scotland at St James’ Park on October 3.

“Rugby is just my favourite thing – I’ve been playing since I was five or six,” said Innes, 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 I was accepted I was quite surprised. It happened almost the same day I was chosen to play rugby for Durham too.

“I feel really excited. But I am a bit nervous because I will be meeting professional players and will be going out with all of those people watching.

“I am really looking forward to meeting all of the players and asking them how they got to represent their country.”

Retired England player Lewis Moody, who helped England lift the trophy in 2003, said: “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."

Land Rover is a partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 and is recruiting 96 official mascots for the Tournament.