England debutant Lewis Ludlam keeps promise to former teacher Published duration 15 August 2019

image copyright Peter Taylor image caption Lewis Ludlam went to meet his primary school teacher Sandra Taylor after the game

A retired primary school teacher got to witness a former pupil's England debut after he kept an old promise that he would give her tickets to the match.

Lewis Ludlam made the vow to Sandra Taylor when he was a promising rugby player at Gorseland Primary School in Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich.

Mrs Taylor and her husband watched England play Wales at Twickenham as the flanker made his first appearance.

She said she was "privileged" to enjoy the "most amazing Sunday".

"I don't know how his parents cope with the burst of pride, I was full of pride," Mrs Taylor added.

She said the Northampton Saints player, now 23, was a "promising rugby star" and a "delightful pupil in the classroom".

image caption Mrs Taylor described Lewis Ludlam as a "delightful pupil"

It was when he was leaving the school to move up to Kesgrave High School Ludlam said he would make sure she got tickets when he got called up for England.

Mrs Taylor said there had been a bit of detective work by Ludlam's mother Dorinda to find her.

In a tweet, Ludlam said "can't believe we actually managed to track her down".

Mrs Taylor said: "He was magnificent and to meet him afterwards was the icing on the cake.

"He's still the same charming, friendly, delightful boy that he was when I knew him when he was 11."

image copyright PA Media image caption Sandra Taylor said she was "full of pride" watching Ludlam (centre) play for England

However, the Scottish mother of two admitted national loyalties had to be put to one side as she cheered on her former pupil.

"I was very grateful that he was playing against Wales and not Scotland," Mrs Taylor said.

"It was a very strange thing for me to cheer on an England team."