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Like John Carleton of the 1980 Grand Slam team, Nigel Heslop hailed from unfashionable Orrell in the northwest, but this did not prevent him from starring for England in a brief but highly successful ten cap career. Nigel was first capped on England's unhappy tour to Argentina in 1990, a trip that saw several new players make their debuts but few who progressed any further in the national set up. However, Nigel was one new boy who did shine and his performances earned him selection on the wing ahead of Simon Halliday in the 1991 Five Nations Championship. He and wing partner Rory Underwood saw little of the ball in England's opening match against Wales in Cardiff, though England achieved what they wanted and won 25-6. England continued with their forward orientated tactics against Scotland at Twickenham, but briefly cut loose to allow Nigel to score a superb try. England then dispatched both Ireland and France to secure their first Grand Slam since 1980, an honour that Nigel could only have dreamt of winning just a year before. Heslop was also named in the World Cup squad, but was left out of the side in favour of the talented Chris Oti in England's first match against the All Blacks. Nigel reclaimed his place in the final pool game against the USA and scored his last international try in an easy 37-9 victory. He was retained for the quarter-final match with France, but was on the wrong end of Serge Blanco's fist when he followed up his own garryowen and arrived fractionally late on the full back. Suffering from concussion, Nigel's place was reclaimed by Simon Halliday and he missed out on an appearance in the final. The following year Halliday was firmly established as the number one choice to partner Rory Underwood, and Nigel made just one appearance as a replacement in England's 24-0 defeat of Wales. (Jon Collins)
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