GRASS ROOTS
HONEST JOE The initial selection of Leicester prop Joe Heyes, at the early age of 21, for three of England’s autumn squad sessions delighted Nottingham Moderns and Newark, his first clubs. Heyes took up the game with Moderns before playing for Newark, where he still helps to coach younger brother Callum.
Ian Herborn, Joe’s mentor at Moderns along with John Cole, said: “His natural athleticism, coordination and attitude made Joe a dream to coach. He also had a phenomenal boot, landed touchline kicks pre-training and had good hands after previously being a goalkeeper on Nottingham Forest’s books.”
Moderns junior chairman Stuart Grantham added: “Joe has also remained highly supportive to us and returned last season as part of our Project Rugby partnership with Tigers.”
FILLING THE HOLE Two South Bury St Edmunds, the only semi-pro team in Suffolk, are confident about emerging from the Covid crisis “on the other side”, in the words of chairman David Reid.
They have appealed online to fill an estimated £50,000 black hole since their facilities shut down after
