Spurs mascot to Six Nations – Lewis Ludlam’s amazing journey

As a kid, Lewis Ludlum dreamed of playing for Spurs. Now he’s one of England rugby’s bright new stars, a member of the squad that reached the World Cup Final last year and ready to smash into the Six Nations this weekend.

Go back to 4 December, 2004, and Lewis was a mascot for our League Cup tie against Liverpool at the Lane. He was eight. A profile in the programme listed his favourite players as Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Ledley King. “I walked out with Reto Ziegler, it was an unbelievable experience for me,” he said. At that point, football and Spurs were everything. But rugby took over, spectacularly.

A flanker for Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership, Lewis was a recent visitor to the new stadium, and those memories came flooding back. “It’s unbelievable to be here. Football was always first for me and I used to dream of playing here, so coming here as a rugby player is a little strange but it’s a nice experience and a special place for me still.

“My dad grew up in Tottenham, so we were Season Ticket Holders from early on. We used to travel here on Saturdays, and I’d play rugby on Sundays. Rugby took over but this was always my first love and provided my fondest memories growing up, without a doubt.

“I was actually a mascot at the old White Hart Lane! Dad was always football, a massive Spurs fan and grew up loving this place and loving this Club.”

Asked what it was like to walk through the tunnel again, over 15 years later, Lewis added: “It’s a little different, obviously, but special. It brings back memories and that emotion for me, a bit of a dream come true again.”

Lewis, 24, made his breakthrough with 27 appearances for the Saints in 2018/19. He was one of four uncapped players named in England's preliminary World Cup training squad last summer, made his debut against Wales and made it into Eddie Jones’ squad for Japan.

He featured four times in the World Cup, scored his first try (against USA) and came off the bench in the quarter-final win against Australia. England memorably beat New Zealand in the semi-finals but lost to South Africa in the final. Now he’s part of the Six Nations squad with England kicking off against France in Paris on Sunday.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, especially the last year,” said Lewis. “This time last year I never really expected to be involved in an England squad. A new manager came in (Chris Boyd at Northampton) and you see it in football as well where young lads get their opportunity and start playing well and then it’s about taking those opportunities. Luckily, I got my opportunity and took it.

“The World Cup was a bit of a mad one, really. I was invited to train with the squad and when you get that call you think ‘I’m just there to make the numbers up, to train’ but I got that opportunity and managed to go to the World Cup. It was a bit of a surreal experience, going to a World Cup without really expecting it. I’ve not had too much of a chance to think about it or let it settle in yet, but it was an awesome few months, a really enjoyable experience, a dream come true.”

It’s not all been a bed of roses for Lewis, who was initially released by Northampton’s academy but worked his way back into Saints’ Under-18 team before progressing through the ranks.

He is further proof that you can bounce back from early adversity. “Absolutely, without doubt,” he said. “It’s a good challenge, being the underdog. My dad always said to me that the pressure is then off, there is nothing expected of you, so just go out and enjoy yourself, play, work and you never know what could happen. I’m just fortunate it’s worked out for me.

“The nature of this game is that you can never stand still, you have to keep working hard, keep improving, especially in my position where it’s such a competitive environment. I know I have a long way to go, a lot of things to do, but I’m on the right path.”