Ahead of England’s Calcutta Cup defeat in Edinburgh, Joe Heyes experienced a surreal moment when Princess Anne mistook him for a former England player, turned TV sensation.
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The Princess Royal, patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for almost 30 years, was seated at Murrayfield Stadium to support Scotland and meet players before kick off. In the build up to England’s 31-20 defeat, she greeted members of the visiting squad, including Heyes, who quickly realised there had been a case of mistaken identity.
“She thought I was Joe Marler which was… quite upsetting. She said: ‘You’re awfully funny on TV.’ It was a very cool experience. I do like it when you get to meet the patron of whatever union you’re playing against. It’s a very cool moment.”
Marler, the former England and Harlequins prop, has become widely recognised beyond rugby circles following his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors, which perhaps explains the confusion.
Asked whether he set the record straight, Heyes admitted the royal encounter left him momentarily overwhelmed.
“Not really because I was a bit starstruck to start with. Who am I to correct her? I didn’t really know what to say [laughs]. I almost went with it!”
It was not the first time Heyes had been told he resembles Marler, but this one stood out.
“I’ve had all sorts about me looking like Joe Marler – but not from a royal. Anyway…”
Looking back to rugby matters, Heyes praised young back row Henry Pollock, who made a strong impression at Murrayfield and is set for his first Test start against Ireland.
“He is a very confident, very skilful and very ambitious player. He provides a huge amount of energy to the team. I think he’s going to go far.”
He added: “I remember his run down the left wing. For someone who you may look at and think does not look hugely powerful – he is. He’s a hell of an athlete. He had a lot of impact. He has a lot of energy and he’s still young. With his personality, he brings that in a physical way which is a good thing to see. You don’t want someone who is full of personality but who does not provide on the pitch. He gives both. And I think he’s a key player in our squad.”
Heyes also highlighted captain Maro Itoje’s influence as he approaches his 100th cap, describing him as a vocal and driven leader whose standards lift the entire squad.
“We call it ‘being alive’ and ‘being in the play’ and he is one of the most vocal people I’ve ever come across in training or games. You know Maro is on your team; he’s talking to you at mauls, scrums, nominating and talking around the pitch.
“I think he is a genuinely brilliant leader by words – he is incredibly articulate – but also by his actions. He drives a lot of standards. He is one of the best captains that I have played under, just in the way he goes about his day to day. Even with the personal struggles; he’s a phenomenal human being.
“I’m not particularly articulate on the pitch and if you have the ability to be then it drives a lot of your team-mates around.”
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