Take a bow Chris Masoe. The 37-year-old New Zealand back-row had just won the French Top14 title with Ronan O''Gara's Racing 92 in front of a packed Nou Camp last night when he emerged onto the pitch with a special guest of honour - two-year-old Ayla Collins.
Ayla is the daughter of Jerry Collins - Masoe's former teammate - who died tragically along with Ayla's mother Alana Madill in a car crash last year. It emerged afterwards that Collins died while trying to protect his daughter.
According to the New Zealand Herald, Masoe and his wife have helped to care for Ayla since her parent's untimely passing.
Gr8t stuff Chris Masoe carrying Jerry Collins daughter at the full time whistle, what a moment! #Top14Final #Racing pic.twitter.com/hc4NvmlC3M
— Stephen Costelloe (@ste_costelloe) June 24, 2016
Chris Masoe with Jerry Collins daughter Ayla on the pitch at the end of the #Top14Final. So much respect. #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/3SrnY16hkW
— EatSleepRugby (@eatsleeprugby) June 24, 2016
On an emotional night, Racing 92, who had French scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud sent off in the early stages, beat Toulon 29-21 to win the French title for the first time in 26 years.
