WALES OFF TO A WORLD CUP FLYER
NOAH Barton’s pride was evident for all to see as he walked out hand in hand with record-breaking captain Alun Wyn Jones yesterday for Wales’ first game in the Rugby World Cup.
And even more so when the 12-year-old Llandaff North player belted out the Welsh national anthem.
The determined youngster was chosen earlier this year out of hundreds of youngsters to be the mascot for the Wales team for the game against Georgia in Toyota.
The junior rugby player, from Cardiff, could barely contain his excitement after being named as the first official mascot by Land Rover after a panel of experts heard how he had overcome a painful hip problem to be part of a rugby team.
His huge smile was evident for all to see as he joined Alun Wyn Jones on the day he broke Gethin Jenkins’ record for most Rugby World Cup starts. He also equalled Jenkins’ record of 129 caps for Wales.
Noah was chosen by a starstudded rugby panel including former England player Lewis Moody, and current internationals Anthony Watson, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, and Huw Jones for demonstrating how he embodies the values of rugby. They were looking for players who showed integrity, courage, pride, composure and capability.
Noah was born with a Perthes – a rare hip condition that stopped him doing sport when he was small.
He said: “When I was younger I had this condition called Perthes. I couldn’t run and it hurt a bit to walk.
“I didn’t go to school for quite a bit and then that happened for five years and when I was seven it came back again.
“Basically, I wanted to be the mascot, I have never been able to play rugby or football as long as all the other kids.”
He added: “It’s amazing, I can’t believe I’m in Japan. I am a huge Cardiff Blues and Wales fan, so I really hope Wales win.
As a partner of the Rugby World Cup, Land Rover had recruited 96 youngsters to win an opportunity to be a match day mascot.