Joe Heyes, the Leicester prop now central to England's Six Nations ambitions, reflects on a career marked by setbacks and personal growth, emphasising that overcoming hardship has shaped his identity. "It would be boring if everything always went well," Heyes remarks, acknowledging the lows that once defined his journey. His story is one of perseverance, from weight struggles and academy rejections to emerging as a linchpin in the national squad.
From Goalkeeper Dreams to Rugby Realities
Heyes's sporting roots trace back to a family legacy in goalkeeping, with his father and grandfather both professionals. As a child, he aspired to play for Nottingham Forest's academy but found himself perpetually second-string, leading to disillusionment. "I was always second string and after a while I thought, 'I'm not doing that'," he recalls. This pivot led him to Moderns RFC in Nottingham, where he discovered rugby, setting the stage for a transformative path.
Weight Battles and Early Frustrations
During his teenage years, Heyes faced mental challenges, ballooning to 145kg at one point. Through rigorous training in Leicester's academy, including torturous Wattbike sessions, he reduced his weight to 114kg, though progress on the field was slow. Blocked by veterans like Dan Cole at Leicester Tigers, he experienced repeated England squad omissions, driving home to Johnny Cash's anthems like Folsom Prison Blues as a form of therapy. "There were a couple of times driving back up to Leicester after being released on a Tuesday or a Thursday when I'd think, 'I don't want to do this any more'," he admits.
The Turning Point and Embracing Individuality
A pivotal moment came during a 2024 England tour to Japan and New Zealand, where he didn't feature, prompting a resolve to improve his defensive and scrummaging consistency. "I thought, 'Right, this is it, this is my turnaround.' In my notebook I wrote, 'Next year is my year'," Heyes explains. Guidance from then Leicester coach Michael Cheika proved crucial, with advice to "run, scrum and hit" breaking him out of a negative spiral.
Heyes also embraced a more positive mindset, learning to appreciate his own company and quirks. A self-described history buff, he enjoys role-playing as a Napoleonic soldier in online wargames and indulges in long country walks. His culinary passion includes cooking with butter, preferring real food over supplements. "I'm a big fan of cooking with butter. I'm not massive on supplements. If I want to get my protein, I want to eat something nice," he says, noting he spent hours preparing ramen broth for his girlfriend before training camp.
Humor and Home Life
Heyes's playful side shines through in anecdotes, such as a junior hammer-throwing competition where he failed to get a throw out of the cage, and his amusement at a misprinted road sign. He lives in an 18th-century Grade II-listed cottage in Leicestershire with low doorways that cause comical mishaps for visitors. "I've had people hitting the bridge of their nose walking in. Getting a nosebleed isn't a nice welcome to a house," he jokes.
He champions individuality in professional sports, stating, "People try and fit into moulds and try and be something they're not. I think, 'Screw that.' If you're an individual just be yourself. If you've got something quirky about you then let's see it."
Current Form and Six Nations Aspirations
With impressive performances in wins over Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand, Heyes is poised for his first Six Nations start. Rooming with young prodigy Billy Sela has kept him grounded, noting, "You just look at him and think: 'These youngsters are superhuman freaks. I wasn't in that shape when I was 20.'" His mixed heritage—an Irish mother and Welsh-heritage father—adds personal resonance to the tournament. "My mum wears an Irish hat and an England scarf, or vice versa. I think that's great ... it's what it's all about," he shares.
Gratitude and Resilience
Heyes credits his family for their unwavering support throughout his journey. "I couldn't have done it without my family. They kept prodding me to keep doing it. People see 23 players turn up at the weekend but there's so much that goes on in the background," he acknowledges. Reflecting on his hardships, he concludes, "A lot of my hardships have made me who I am," offering an inspiring message of resilience for athletes everywhere.
