Princess Royal's Royal Mix-Up: Rugby Star Mistaken for TV Personality
In a delightful case of mistaken identity, England rugby international Joe Heyes has disclosed that he was confused with Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler by Princess Anne during the pre-match formalities before Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland. The Princess Royal, who has served as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986, engaged in conversation with a visibly starstruck Heyes as part of the customary team presentations ahead of the national anthems at Murrayfield.
An Awkward Yet Memorable Royal Encounter
Heyes, who plays as a tighthead prop for England, found himself unexpectedly cast in the role of his former international colleague Marler. The latter gained widespread popularity as a finalist in the BBC's hit reality game show Celebrity Traitors last November. Reflecting on the humorous incident, Heyes remarked: 'She thought I was Joe Marler, which was… quite upsetting. She said 'You're awfully funny on TV!'.'
The Leicester forward described the overall experience as 'very cool,' expressing particular appreciation for the opportunity to meet the patron of the opposing union. However, he admitted to being too starstruck to correct the royal's error. '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!' Heyes confessed.
Frequent Comparisons and Career Transitions
Heyes revealed that he regularly receives comments about his resemblance to Marler, though never before from royalty. 'I've had all sorts about me looking like Joe Marler – but not from a royal!' he noted with amusement. Marler retired from professional rugby fifteen months ago and has since successfully transitioned into the entertainment industry. Evidently, Princess Anne – whose daughter Zara is married to England World Cup winner Mike Tindall – remained unaware that Marler had concluded his playing career.
Marler emerged as a fan favourite during his appearance on The Traitors towards the end of last year, progressing to the final round before being eliminated. Meanwhile, his lookalike Heyes has stepped into the England squad with impressive competence, though the team suffered a disappointing 31-20 defeat against Scotland last weekend. This result extended England's quest for a first victory at Murrayfield since 2020.
Team Changes and Emerging Talent
In response to the setback, head coach Steve Borthwick has implemented three personnel changes for Saturday's upcoming match against Ireland at Allianz Stadium. Notably, Henry Pollock has been awarded his first Test start following seven appearances as a replacement. Despite being a 21-year-old rookie, the peroxide-haired Northampton flanker has already become a fan favourite at Twickenham, and Heyes has expressed strong confidence in his abilities.
'Henry's a very confident, very skilful and very ambitious player,' the Leicester front row stated. 'He provides a huge amount of energy to the team. He's going to go far. I remember his run down the left wing at Murrayfield. For someone who you may look at and think does not look hugely powerful – he is.'
Heyes elaborated further on Pollock's attributes: 'He's one hell of an athlete and has a lot of impact. He has a lot of energy and he's still young. He brings his personality 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. He's a key player in our squad.'
Milestone Achievement for England Captain
The match against Ireland will also mark a significant milestone for England captain Maro Itoje, who earns his 100th cap on Saturday. This achievement makes him the ninth men's player in England's history to reach this landmark. Heyes praised Itoje's leadership qualities, stating: 'You know Maro is on your team – he's talking to you at mauls, scrums, nominating and talking around the pitch.'
'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,' Heyes added, highlighting the respect and admiration Itoje commands within the squad.
