Harry in limelight as Welsh launch new kit

THE new face of Welsh rugby is a Guernsey one. Harry Arthur, five, helped launch the redesigned Wales Rugby Union shirts at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and in doing so found his picture printed in newspapers throughout the region and his moment of glory on television across the principality.

'We were on holiday in Wales because my husband, Glyn, is from Pontypool and we decided to go on a tour of the Millennium Stadium,' said Harry's mum, Jennie.

'The stadium is amazing,' said Mrs Arthur. 'We went right to the top of the stand and looked around. It is so high and the view is incredible.'

Harry, a pupil at La Mare de Carteret Primary School, was selected and found himself treading the hallowed turf beside three giants of Welsh rugby, Llanelli's Iestyn Thomas (6ft 1in. and 17st 3lbs), Swansea's Colin Charvis (6ft 2in. and 16st 10lbs) and Chris Wyatt (Llanelli, 6ft 5in. 17st).

Harry and another young fan were allowed to run with the players out of the tunnel onto the pitch.

The photo-shoot took half an hour, during which time Harry, 3ft 8in. and 2st 10lbs, went head-to-head with Wyatt, although the Welsh giant was on his knees at the time, said Mrs Arthur, who works at Checkers.

'He was a smashing guy, really nice to Harry, getting him to smile,' she said.

'They even had a quick whip-round for Harry and he was given a £2 coin and some £1 coins.

'Unfortunately, he was not allowed to keep the shirt, but they did give him a mini rugby ball signed by the players.'

The pictures and story were printed in the Western Mail and the South Wales Echo, the two main newspapers of Cardiff and south Wales, with a combined daily circulation of more than 100,000 copies.

And Harry and brother Luke found themselves on television.

'It was all shown on HTV and BBC2 Wales,' said Mr Arthur. 'We've had it taped.'

Although barely reaching the height of Wyatt's shorts, Harry took it all in his stride.

His dad, Glyn, 52, a carpenter at Joe Moriarty and Sons, was beaming.

'It was fantastic, a cracking day,' he said.

'Glyn was so chuffed; I've never seen him smile so much in all the years,' said Mrs Arthur.