Royal Patron's Amusing Case of Mistaken Identity at Six Nations
England rugby international Joe Heyes has revealed an entertaining royal encounter where Princess Anne confused him with television personality and former teammate Joe Marler. The incident occurred during the traditional team presentation before England's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield last Saturday.
A Starstruck Moment with Royalty
Princess Anne, who has served as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986, stopped to speak with the "starstruck" Heyes during the customary pre-match formalities. However, the England tighthead prop quickly realized he was being mistaken for his former international colleague Marler, who gained widespread fame after reaching the final of BBC's popular reality show Celebrity Traitors in November.
"She thought I was Joe Marler, which was... quite upsetting," Heyes recalled with amusement. "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."
Too Starstruck to Correct Royal Error
The Leicester prop admitted he didn't correct the royal's mistake, explaining: "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 added that while he's frequently been told he resembles Marler, this marked the first time such confusion came from royalty. "I've had all sorts about me looking like Joe Marler – but not from a royal!" he noted.
England's Murrayfield Struggles Continue
The lighthearted royal moment preceded a disappointing 31-20 defeat for England, extending their wait for a first victory at Murrayfield since 2020. In response to the loss, head coach Steve Borthwick has made three changes to the starting lineup for Saturday's upcoming clash against Ireland at Allianz Stadium.
Among the alterations is Henry Pollock earning his first Test start following seven substitute appearances. Despite being just 21 years old, the bleach-blonde Northampton back-rower has already won over Twickenham supporters with his dynamic performances.
Young Talent Impresses Veteran Teammate
Heyes expressed confidence in the young player's abilities, stating: "Henry's a very confident, very skilful and very ambitious player. He provides a huge amount of energy to the team. He's going to go far."
The veteran prop praised Pollock's surprising power and athleticism, noting: "For someone who you may look at and think does not look hugely powerful – he is. He's one hell of an athlete and has a lot of impact. He has a lot of energy and he's still young."
Leadership Milestone Approaches
The article also highlights England captain Maro Itoje reaching his century of caps on Saturday, becoming only the ninth male English player to achieve this landmark. Heyes praised his captain's leadership qualities, describing him as "incredibly articulate" both in communication and through his actions on the field.
"He's a genuinely brilliant leader by words – he is incredibly articulate – but also by his actions," Heyes stated. "He drives a lot of standards. He is one of the best captains that I have played under."
The royal mix-up provides a humorous footnote to England's Six Nations campaign, demonstrating that even seasoned professionals can experience starstruck moments when meeting members of the royal family.
