Wandsworth youngster Louis Partridge is counting down the days until the Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off after being surprised by Land Rover with the news that he is an official mascot.

Along with his Battersea Ironsides team, Partridge attended a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup at Harlequins last season.

It was there that the 12-year-old impressed with his rendition of the national anthem, which has now earned him his own spot in the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Partridge will now be England’s mascot when they take on Wales at Twickenham on September 26, and the Dulwich Prep School pupil cannot wait to get going.

“It’s a one-off life opportunity that I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Partridge, one of 96 official Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots selected by Land Rover as part of its "We deal in real" campaign.

“My friends didn’t believe me. I’m looking forward to walking out of the tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd.

“I have to be careful though as my mum is Welsh and my dad is English.”

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 Partridge’s shoes.

“Louis 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.”

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