Sergeant set for his big moment at Twickenham
Bearing the flag in front of more than 80,000 fans and hundreds of thousands more tuning into Sky Sports, will be a Wigan RAF sergeant logistician.
Paul Banks, originally of Hindley, will experience a day he will ‘never forget’ according to step-dad James Bretherton, who says the whole family are proud of the husband and dad of three.
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Hide Ad“He’s a shy lad, but this is something he’s always wanted to do,” said Bretherton.
“He’s over the moon. We rang him last night and he was made-up. He must be feeling very proud and it’s something he’ll always remember.”
Sgt Banks has a strong rugby league background, having been an excellent winger and earning trials with Salford before joining the Forces in 1997.
He went on to play the 15-a-side game with the RAF’s second team.
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Hide AdTomorrow won’t be the first time Sgt Banks has been in the limelight.
The 41-year-old met Prince William while at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, with the royal stopping for a photo with the talented rugby ace.
Sgt Banks, based at the RAF head office in High Wycombe, will arrive at Twickenham early on Saturday for a rehearsal at 9.30am before his big moment ahead of the 2.30pm kick-off, where Farrell and co will be aiming to stretch England’s unbeaten run under coach Eddie Jones to 11 games while also trying for a first win over South Africa in 10 years.