Jack Brooke-Battersby
By Jack Brooke-Battersby

Senior Staff Writer

29 July 2019

| | 3 min read

What's On

Win the chance for your child to be an official England mascot

Entries are now open to select one lucky child to walk out alongside the England men’s rugby team when they take on Italy at St James’ Park. 

England vs Italy
England vs Italy

England entertain the Italians on Friday September 6 in the Quilter International, the last match they play before heading off to Japan for the Rugby World Cup. 

One lucky winner will have the chance join the join the team as they head out onto the pitch for kick-off, as well as receiving a match ticket for themselves and two members of their family.  

Entrants must be aged between 5 and 11. 

Cllr Clare Penny-Evans, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for communities, said: “It is a pleasure for us to be welcoming the England men’s team to Newcastle for their last match before they fly out to Japan. 

“This is an amazing opportunity for one lucky child to walk out onto the famous pitch alongside their heroes and I’m sure it will be a memory that will stay with them and their family forever. 

“We know St James’ Park puts on a great spectacle with the European rugby we’ve already hosted this year, and the atmosphere should be just as good on September 6.” 

England manager Eddie Jones said: “We’re delighted to come up here. To come up to Newcastle and play at this iconic football ground is a great honour for us.  

“Just to get the players used to that experience of sleeping in a different hotel, not knowing quite what the ground is going to be like and being able to adapt to those conditions is so important for the World Cup campaign.”  

Andy Thomson, Northumberland Rugby Union Chairman, added: “It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase the international game and give the opportunity to people who don’t normally travel down to Twickenham to see rugby at its highest level.” 

Entries can be made by filling in the form here. To be successful, each entry must be accompanied by a Twitter video of no longer than 60 seconds with the child applying explaining why they would make a great mascot. Please make sure to use the hashtag #EngItalyMascot when sharing the video. 

The deadline for entries is Friday August 23.