Rugby fan Phoebe is proud England mascot for Barbarians match

IT was a dream come true for eight-year-old Phoebe Armes when she joined her rugby heroes on the pitch at Twickenham yesterday.

Phoebe won a competition organised by the RFU to be a mascot at the England versus Barbarians rugby union match on Sunday.

She accompanied England player Ross Harrison out on to the pitch and after the game had her photo taken with Irish international and Barbarian Donncha O’Callaghan.

The proud Trinity School pupil described the experience as ‘the best day of my life’.

@RossHarrisonFR She even sang the National Anthem…. pic.twitter.com/7nJIBqUaED

— Claire Armes (@SuptArmes) June 1, 2014

Mum Claire Armes, who is the Devon and Cornwall Police commander for South Devon, tweeted two pictures of her smiling daughter. One before kick-off with the England player and one after the game with O’Callaghan.

Thanks @docallaghan4 for the photo.

Daughter had great day at Twickenham.
@Barbarian_FC @EnglandRugby @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/tXcrnpPDvj

— Claire Armes (@SuptArmes) June 1, 2014

Claire said: “Before the game she met the England and Barbarian squads and then came out with Ross and the England team onto the pitch.

“She wasn’t nervous at all and even got to sing the national anthem. The fact that England lost didn’t overshadow the day at all.

“The players were great and after the match she got the opportunity to go down and mingle with them while they were doing interviews.

“Afterwards she said it was the best day on her life and she got to keep the kit.”

Phoebe is a keen swimmer at school and an avid rugby fan.

A love of the game clearly runs in the Armes family. Dad Chris, who watched the match with mum from the stands, was captain of Torquay Rugby Club for many years.

“He was very proud of her but I think there was a touch of jealousy because although he played at a good level he never got to walk out onto the Twickenham pitch like his daughter has,” said Claire.

“Phoebe swims locally but her dad hasn’t been keen to see her end up with cauliflower ears.

“But after the match she said she was now ready to pick up the rugby ball and play.”

Article source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jun/01/international-rugby-board-facing-a-tmo-problem-that-will-not-go-away

Rugby fan Phoebe is proud England mascot for Barbarians match