A YOUNG rugby player from Simister has been selected to lead out his heroes when England take on Uruguay at Manchester's Etihad Stadium next month.

Declan-Lee Green is the envy of his friends after winning the opportunity to be a mascot at the Rugby World Cup clash on Saturday October 10.

The 11-year-old, of Simister Green, was chosen after employees working for Jaguar Land Rover were asked to put forward nominations for the match mascot.

Land Rover is a Rugby World Cup worldwide partner and Declan-Lee's uncle, Daniel Toohey, who works at the company's Ellesmere Port factory, nominated his nephew.

Declan-Lee is a pupil at Butterstile Primary School in Prestwich and plays for the Sedgley Park Rugby Club under 11s. He is also a member of the Vipers basketball team, based at Philips High School, Whitefield, and goes horse riding each weekend.

His mum Leanne said: "Declan-Lee is really excited about being chosen for the England-Uruguay match and is over the moon. He has been playing rugby for about two years.

"He will be leading the team out and we understand he will be one of two mascots who will be involved. This is all down to his uncle."