Before the roar of the crowd and the thunder of boots on turf at Murrayfield last Saturday, an unexpected moment of royal confusion set the tone for England's latest Six Nations clash against Scotland. As the teams lined up for the customary pre-match presentation, Princess Anne, the long-serving patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986, made a lighthearted blunder that left England tighthead prop Joe Heyes both amused and a little flustered.
Heyes, a rising force in the England front row, found himself face-to-face with the Princess Royal. Yet, instead of receiving a greeting tailored to his own burgeoning reputation, he was mistaken for his former international teammate Joe Marler, who has become a household name in the world of entertainment after his recent stint as a finalist on BBC's hit reality show Celebrity Traitors. "She thought I was Joe Marler, which was… quite upsetting. She said, 'You're awfully funny on TV!'" Heyes recounted, still laughing at the memory. "It was a very cool experience. I do like it when you get to meet the patron of whatever union you're playing against."
For Heyes, the moment was tinged with disbelief and a dash of starstruck awe. "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!" he admitted. Indeed, the resemblance between the two props has become a running joke among fans and teammates alike, but this was the first time it had been highlighted in such regal fashion.
Marler, who retired from international rugby 15 months ago, has since dived headlong into the entertainment industry. His appearance as a finalist on Celebrity Traitors in November 2025 cemented his status as a fan favorite, even though he fell just short of winning the reality competition. Princess Anne, perhaps unaware that Marler had hung up his boots, clearly still associated him with the England squad—much to Heyes's bemusement.
While the royal mix-up provided a moment of levity, the match itself was no laughing matter for England. Their long-standing Murrayfield jinx persisted as they suffered a comprehensive 31-20 defeat at the hands of a fired-up Scotland side. The loss continued England's frustrating wait for a victory at the famous Edinburgh ground, a drought stretching back to 2020. The defeat also underscored the challenges facing head coach Steve Borthwick as he seeks to mold a new-look England team in the fiercely competitive environment of the Guinness Six Nations.
In the aftermath of the loss, Borthwick wasted little time in ringing the changes. With the next fixture against Ireland looming at Allianz Stadium on February 22, 2026, the coach announced three alterations to his starting XV. Chief among them was the promotion of Henry Pollock, the peroxide-blonde Northampton flanker, who is set to earn his first Test start after making seven appearances as a substitute. Pollock, just 21 years old, has already captured the imagination of Twickenham supporters with his dynamic play and infectious energy.
Heyes, for one, is a vocal supporter of the young back-rower. "Henry's a very confident, very skilful and very ambitious player," he said of his teammate. "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. 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."
Pollock's elevation to the starting lineup is emblematic of Borthwick's willingness to trust in youth and potential. The coach's decision to shake up the squad after the Scotland loss signals a desire to inject fresh impetus and resilience into a team that has struggled to find consistency away from home. With Ireland up next—a side renowned for their physicality and tactical acumen—England's new-look lineup will face a stern test of character and cohesion.
Amidst the changes and the ongoing quest for Six Nations glory, one milestone stands out as a beacon of stability and achievement. England captain Maro Itoje reached a remarkable personal landmark in the Scotland match, earning his 100th cap and becoming only the ninth male player in England's history to reach the century mark. Itoje's influence on and off the pitch is widely acknowledged, and his leadership remains a cornerstone of the squad's identity.
Heyes was effusive in his praise for the skipper. "You know Maro is on your team – he's talking to you at mauls, scrums, nominating and talking around the pitch," he explained. "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." Itoje's blend of eloquence and example-setting has been crucial as England navigate the highs and lows of international rugby, and his 100th appearance is a testament to his durability and class.
As England prepare for their showdown with Ireland, the team finds itself at a crossroads. The mix of experienced stalwarts and emerging talents like Pollock offers hope for a turnaround in fortunes, but the pressure is on to deliver results and restore pride. The memory of Princess Anne's case of mistaken identity may linger as a humorous footnote, but for Heyes and his teammates, the focus is squarely on the rugby—and on ending their Murrayfield hoodoo.
With the Six Nations still in full swing and England eager to bounce back, all eyes will be on Allianz Stadium this weekend. Whether the new faces can rise to the occasion, and whether Itoje can lead his side to a much-needed victory, remains to be seen. For now, the squad is united by a sense of purpose—and perhaps, a shared chuckle at the royal mix-up that reminded everyone of the unpredictable charm of sport.