Harry Westlake: Viral England mascot to U18 Six Nations squad

Westlake, now 17, has been included in the training camp in England in preparation for the U18 Six Nations Festival in Vichy, France, in April.

“England Rugby was always a huge deal for me growing up,” says Westlake, looking back.

“I loved England and I am very patriotic.

“I remember going into the tunnel and asking Chris Robshaw if he was ready.

“Then we started talking, we went out and I thought I was going to play!

“You see me going out and looking at almost everyone.

“Before that, my mom told me, ‘Make sure you say it loud and proud.’

“So I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to do this.'”

Westlake was playing for the Devonport Services under-7s team at the time but had already set his sights on the big stage with plans to become an England fly-half or center.

This part probably won’t happen.

Playing for Exeter’s academy, Westlake is now a formidable back-row player channeling the energy and drive of Ben Earl and Henry Pollock, even as he cites boyhood hero Owen Farrell as the embodiment of the mentality he aspires to.

Westlake has already had to show resilience to continue pursuing his dream.

“Rugby has always been the focus, even though the ride is not as smooth as it should be,” he says.

Westlake has Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the intestines.

“I’m on a medication that I take every eight weeks, which gets me irritated and gets me through,” he explains.

“There was a period of two, three, four years that was quite challenging, but we are getting through it now.

“It affects energy levels, so I’ll struggle two or three days before my medication is due and another day after.”

Harry’s anthem moment wasn’t even his first taste of the England team.

After using the image of Harry’s father Kevin on his shoulders in promotional material during a match last year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) brought them both to the team hotel to meet the players and manager Stuart Lancaster.