Genge backs Heyes to prove he is world's best tighthead against South Africa

Ellis Genge has made a bold claim for his England team-mate Joe Heyes, declaring the Leicester Tigers tighthead the best in the world and pointing to next month’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa as the moment to settle the argument.

Speaking to Dan Biggar on The Rugby Pod, the 80-cap Bristol Bears loosehead said Heyes was “on fire” throughout the Guinness Six Nations and never dropped below a seven out of ten despite England’s inconsistent form as a team. “I think Joe Heyes has been on fire,” Genge said. “The consistency of his performance — his kick chase, his defensive work, even his carrying the ball now — I think he is probably the best tighthead.”

Heyes, who was recently crowned England Men’s Player of the Season, is expected to wear the No.3 jersey when Steve Borthwick’s side face the Springboks at Ellis Park on July 4, the first Test since the Six Nations. Fiji and Argentina follow later in the summer.

Genge acknowledged the scale of the challenge, but framed it as an opportunity. “South Africa is the big test,” he said. “If he can do it in their backyard, then that cements my opinion. Until then, you’ll never get the plaudits until you do it in the toughest arena against the best in the world. That’s what they are. It’s their arena, it’s their backyard, and they’re the best team in the world. So it’s an honour.”

Genge also paid tribute to the pressure Heyes has faced throughout his England career, stepping in behind established tightheads Will Stuart and the long-serving Dan Cole. “He’s had such big boots to fill all the time,” Genge said. “He’s got size 15 feet, so he does it well.”

Genge himself is in contention to captain England during the summer series, with Maro Itoje likely to be rested. The loosehead has been involved in the England camp recently for rehabilitation of a calf injury and his own availability for the Springbok Test is not yet confirmed. Heyes was part of the same camp but was not selected for England A’s fixture against France XV in Vannes.