England's Joe Heyes says Princess Anne mistook him for Joe Marler / Photo: Ben STANSALL - AFP
England's Joe Heyes says Princess Anne mistook him for Joe Marler
England prop Joe Heyes has revealed that he was mistaken for former Red Rose front-row turned television star Joe Marler by Britain's Princess Anne when she greeted the teams before Saturday's Six Nations match against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Anne, patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986, stopped to chat to a "starstruck" Heyes during the traditional pre-match presentation of the two sides ahead of the anthems for the Calcutta Cup clash
But England's tighthead prop found himself being identified as his one-time international team-mate Marler, a star of the most recent edition of the popular BBC television reality game show Celebrity Traitors.
"She thought I was Joe Marler, which was... quite upsetting," Heyes told reporters. "She said 'You're awfully funny on TV!'.
Heyes, however, added: "It was a very cool experience. I do like it when you get to meet the patron of whatever union you're playing against.
"I didn't correct her because I was a bit starstruck to start with. Who am I to correct her? I didn't really know what to say! I almost went with it!
"I've had all sorts about me looking like Joe Marler -- but not from a royal!"
England suffered yet more Murrayfield misery with a 31-20 defeat that ended their Grand Slam hopes and left them looking for a first win at the Edinburgh ground since 2020.
But they will look to revive their Six Nations campaign at home to Ireland this coming Saturday.
England coach Steve Borthwick has responded to the Scotland loss by making three personnel changes to his run-on side, with Henry Pollock given a first Test start after seven appearances as a replacement.
The 21-year-old Northampton back-row has already become a fans' favourite with the Twickenham faithful and Heyes has no doubt that Pollock will star as England's new No.8.
"Henry's a very confident, very skilful and very ambitious player," said Heyes. "He provides a huge amount of energy to the team. He's going to go far."
England captain Maro Itoje is set to win his 100th cap on Saturday, becoming just the ninth Red Rose men's player to reach the landmark.
"You know Maro is on your team -- he's talking to you at mauls, scrums, nominating and talking around the pitch," Heyes said. "He's 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."
Z.Hanohano--HStB
