Anna's lead role among Wales XV

Anna and Stephen Jones wave to the Millennium Stadium crowd

A nine-year-old girl who beat a rare form of cancer was the Wales rugby team's mascot for the opening Six Nations game with Ireland.

Anna Culshaw got the all-clear from doctors just before Christmas, 18 months after a bone marrow transplant.

She walked out with Wales captain Stephen Jones before more than 70,000 fans at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Her father Eddie said the whole family, from Carrog in Denbighshire, were at the game to cheer Anna.

Before the game he said: "She's very excited, although I don't think she fully grasps the enormity of it.

We don't play the Lotto anymore because we always said we'd won it when the donor came forward Eddie Culshaw, Anna's father

"I've explained to her that most houses in Wales will probably have their televisions on, watching the rugby that day.

"It's going to be a very emotional day, we're very proud of her."

Anna is able to go outside when the weather is fine

Anna was diagnosed with myelodysplasia, a rare form of cancer which prevented her bone marrow making enough red blood cells.

It affects only a handful people in the UK.

She underwent a bone marrow transplant after a donor was found through the Anthony Nolan Trust, and the operation seems to have been successful.

Mr Culshaw said: "It's thanks to the Anthony Nolan Trust that we managed to find a donor.

"All we know is that the donor was a 39-year-old male. We have no idea who he is - maybe he'll be watching the rugby.

"Anna's now doing really well, and was given the all-clear just before Christmas. She's still more susceptible to infections than other youngsters, and she'll need regular check-ups long-term.

"But as far as we're concerned it's all positive. We don't play the Lotto anymore because we always said we'd won it when the donor came forward."