England’s dominant 48-7 victory over Wales in the Six Nations opener set the stage for some emotional moments on and off the field. England prop Joe Heyes felt “incredibly awkward” as he faced his Leicester Tigers team-mate, Nicky Smith, from Wales. With England running seven tries past the Welsh side and the match effectively over within 20 minutes, Heyes found himself apologising to his club mate after the match, saying, “I didn’t mean it.”
During the game, Wales’ discipline issues piled up, with the team receiving four yellow cards—Smith being the first, just 16 minutes in. Despite this, Heyes and Smith managed to keep the game professional, but the pressure was evident. Reflecting on past encounters, Heyes remembers a time Smith bested him and highlights how these experiences shape their careers and camaraderie.
Heyes praised Smith, calling him a “quality player” with an “unbelievable ability to go forward.” It’s clear there’s mutual respect, with Heyes describing the internal struggle of keeping things professional amidst personal bonds. At the end, a hug between the two signalled that despite the fierce competition, friendship prevails.
Next up is the intense atmosphere of Twickenham, where both players will surely be ready to leave it all on the pitch once again. Let us know your thoughts on the match and players’ camaraderie below! 🏉 #SixNations #RugbyFamily #EnglandVsWales