Joe Heyes was momentarily left dumbstruck when he crashed over for his first England try.
What was the eighth touchdown of a 10-try Six Nations thumping of Wales in March was just the prop’s third try in almost six years in all competitions for club and country.
In almost 160 appearances across seven seasons with Leicester Tigers, Heyes has scored only one try.
“I never score,” he laughed when talking to BBC Radio Leicester about the milestone moment.
“I remember putting the ball down and thinking ‘is this allowed? Am I supposed to score? And surely they will bring it back for something’.”
But the feeling of disbelief went deeper than just crossing the whitewash for the first time on the full international stage – having previously managed the rare feat for England A.
Just being at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to clutch the offload from Tom Willis and slam down his finish is something the 26-year-old freely admits he doubted was possible.
“It was amazing to get my first try and it was an unbelievable experience,” Heyes said.
Heyes had come off the bench – as he had done for England in all four previous games in the tournament – to make his try-scoring contribution in the 68-14 thumping of Wales that gave England hope of snatching the championship title on the final day.
Before the Six Nations, he had gone two years and three months without earning a cap despite being called up to the England squad in that time.
In December, Heyes spoke about how he was using the “hurt” of being overlooked for an England recall to work even harder on making his international return.
Even when called into the Six Nations squad, Heyes was wary of his chances of featuring after failing to make an appearance when he toured with England last summer.
“I went in probably not really expecting to play again,” Heyes said.
“You go out there to try as hard as you can in training and all these things. I took it day by day, just worked my socks off and got the opportunities, which were incredible.”
Before working his way back into England favour under former Tigers boss Steve Borthwick, Heyes has had to re-establish himself in Leicester’s front row.
He started just seven Premiership matches last season, but under head coach Michael Cheika this term he has been first choice as tight-head ahead of celebrated fellow England international Dan Cole for a side that is now third in the table and pushing for a play-off spot.
Still, Heyes said he joined up with the national team “ready for anything”, even if adding to his previous seven international caps was not what he expected.
“It’s a tough mindset to get into,” Heyes said.
“I didn’t prepare myself for disappointment. I try to stay ready for anything and never assume anything. Whatever role I got in the team, I just wanted to do that as best as I could.”
The role he played was to come off the bench as Will Stuart’s replacement.
Those appearances gave Heyes something different to write about in the notebook he has dedicated to rugby thoughts.
Among his musing, he admits doubts about his England future had crept in.
“I’d had a few years of not playing [for England], and it [wanting to play for England] is the reason I started playing rugby,” Heyes said.
“I was my dream and still is my dream. But it’s quite difficult when you have done something that is your dream and your goal, how do you stay motivated and keep doing this?
“I didn’t want to give up, but I had many thoughts in my head over the duration of time that I wasn’t playing, that I’m going to give up here.
Related topics
- Rugby Union
- Leicester Tigers
