‘I’ll make it tough for Eddie’
The 32-year-old scrumhalf is a converted Kiwi who played against England five years ago for the Crusaders.
But thanks to the qualification route supplied by Hampshireborn grandma Aylieff, he could be on his way to the World Cup with England if tomorrow’s Twickenham audition goes well.
Heinz said: “She met my grandfather, who was with the New Zealand Navy in World War Two. She was a WREN. They hit it off pretty quickly and then she was on a boat back to New Zealand.
“My grandfather died when I was five or six. In the latter stages of her life she moved in with us. I was always really close with her.
“She was an avid sports fan and a very proud Englishwoman. She always really encouraged me and my sisters to come over and live here if we got the opportunity. I know she would be hugely proud of me getting this chance.
“Obviously, I’m a little bit older than most to be making my debut this week, but I just feel really grateful to get the opportunity and I’m excited to get out there with the lads.”
Heinz, who was briefly involved with the squad two years ago, has come up on the rails with composed performances for Gloucester, where he is captain.
He will be vice-captain for England with halfback partner George Ford leading an experimental line-up against a full-strength Wales side. The England starting XV have only 377 caps compared toWales’ 676.
With Eddie Jones naming his World Cup 31 on Monday, the fringe options are all being given a chance in the first of four warm-up matches. Bath’s Ruaridh McConnochie makes his debut on the right wing after impressing with his pace and footwork.
And there are three more uncapped players on the bench – Harlequins centre Joe Marchant, Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam and Saracens hooker Jack Singleton.
Joe Marler will sit alongside them after reversing his Test retirement, while Anthony Watson will wear an England jersey for the first time since the 2018 Six Nations in a lightweight backline in which Northampton’s Piers Francis is included as a second playmaker at No12.
England will also take a leaf out of the Welsh book and field two specialist opensides – Tom Curry, who will wear No6, and Sam Underhill. Daly; McConnochie, Slade, Francis, Watson; Ford, Heinz; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Cole, Launchbury, Ewels Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola. Replacements: Singleton, Marler, Williams, Kruis, Ludlam, Youngs, Marchant, Cokanasiga.
L Williams; North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Anscombe, G Davies; Smith, Owens, Francis, Beard, Wyn Jones, Wainwright, Tipuric, Moriarty. Replacements: Dee, Jones, Lewis, Ball, Shingler, T Williams, Biggar, Watkin. Kick-off: 2pm tomorrow. TV: Sky Sports WARREN Gatland wined and dined with Eddie Jones before telling the England head coach he plans to turn his World Cup selection into a nightmare.
Gatland has named a strong Wales line-up against an experimental England side for the teams’ first warm-up clash at Twickenham tomorrow.
He said: “The coaches caught up with Eddie over dinner. I’m really looking forward to Sunday. Hopefully, we can spoil their party and make Monday difficult for England in terms of selection.”
World Cup nations have until September 8 to name their final squads but Jones is determined to get ahead of his rivals by naming his on Monday.