Jonny May

England international rugby union player

Rugby player
Jonny May
May representing Gloucester during the Aviva Premiership
Full nameJonathan James May
Date of birth (1990-04-01) 1 April 1990 (age 34)
Place of birthChiseldon, England
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Weight90 kg (198 lb; 14 st 2 lb)[1]
SchoolHartpury College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team Gloucester
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2017 Gloucester 138 (310)
2009–2010 → Moseley (loan) 15 (30)
2017–2020 Leicester Tigers 44 (150)
2020–2024 Gloucester 55 (60)
2024– Soyaux Angoulême 0 (0)
Correct as of 24 May 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 England U20 8 (30)
2012 England A 2 (0)
2013–2023 England 78 (180)
Correct as of 21 October 2023

Jonathan James May (born 1 April 1990) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Pro D2 club Soyaux Angoulême and formerly for the England national team.[2][3]

May began his senior career at Gloucester, and also played for Moseley on loan. He moved to Leicester Tigers in 2017 and returned to Gloucester in July 2020. He made his debut for England in 2013. He earned 78 caps and scored 36 tries making him England's second highest try scorer. He announced his retirement from international rugby in October 2023.

Early life

May was born in Chiseldon, Wiltshire. He studied at St Francis before he attended The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College. As a child, May spent time playing and training at Wootton Bassett RFC in their Mini & Junior teams. He also trained with the academy of Swindon Town.[4]

May then studied at Hartpury College, where he was a member of Hartpury College RFC, coached by Allan Lewis in a team that included future Wales and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert.[4][5] A stint in Canberra led to a short spell with ACT Brumbies academy.[4]

Club career

After joining Gloucester's rugby academy,[5] May made his first start for Gloucester Rugby in a pre-season friendly against Bath on 15 August 2009, and the next weekend he scored a try against Connacht after he had come off the bench. His first taste of first team action came in the Heineken Cup when he replaced Charlie Sharples against Newport Gwent Dragons and just over a month later he made his first start against London Wasps in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, playing on the wing.[6]

On 20 February 2010, May was a late replacement for Gloucester's match against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road Stadium after Fuimaono-Sapolu pulled out with a 'dead leg'. Although Gloucester lost, May played well and scored a try on his Premiership debut.[6][7] May made two more starts for Gloucester during the remainder of the season against London Wasps and Northampton Saints. During the 2009–10 campaign he also played for Championship club Moseley on loan.[8]

In January 2012 May scored two tries from full-back at Kingsholm Stadium against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup.[6][9] In March 2012 he was named as the inaugural winner of the LV= Breakthrough Player Award.[10] May was named Gloucester's Young Player of the Year for 2011-2012, and his stunning solo effort against Harlequins was named Try-of-the-Season at the Aviva Premiership Awards.[6] In December 2012, May signed a two-year contract extension with Gloucester until the end of the 2014–15 season.[11]

On 24 October 2014, May signed a new long-term contract with Gloucester.[12] At the end of that campaign, he scored the winning try in the 2014–15 European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Exeter Chiefs.[13] He started the final as Gloucester overcame Edinburgh to lift the trophy.[14]

May scored the opening try in the 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup final as Gloucester were defeated by Stade Français at Murrayfield to finish runners up.[15] In August 2017 it was announced May had signed for Leicester Tigers in a swap deal with Ed Slater, after activating a little known clause in his Gloucester contract.[16] May started his Leicester career strongly, scoring nine tries in his first eight appearances and earning the club's player of the month award.[17]

After three seasons at Leicester, in April 2020 it was announced that May would return to Gloucester.[18] He made his last appearance for Gloucester in the final of the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which saw them beaten by Sharks to finish runners up.[19][20] In total he scored 74 tries in 193 matches over two spells for the club.[19]

In June 2024 it was announced that May had joined Pro D2 side Soyaux Angoulême.[21]

International career

May scored a try for England U20 against Wales during the opening round of the 2010 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[22] He was a member of the side that finished fourth at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship and recorded the final try of their semi-final defeat to Australia.[23]

In January 2012 May made his first appearances for the England A team coming off the bench against Ireland Wolfhounds and then making his first start at that level against Scotland the following week.[24][25] Later that year he was selected for the senior 2012 tour of South Africa and scored two tries in England's 57–31 tour fixture victory over South Africa Barbarians.[26]

May was included in the squad for the 2013 tour of Argentina and on 15 June 2013 he made his Test debut starting in the last fixture as England won the series.[27][28]

May was called up for the 2014 Six Nations Championship and started in all five games as England claimed their first Triple Crown for over a decade.[5][29] He played in their opening fixture of the 2014 summer tour of New Zealand at Eden Park but was dropped for the last two tests.[30] Later that year he scored his first try at international level in an autumn international defeat by New Zealand and followed up with another two tries against Samoa.[31][32]

May scored a try against Ireland in their last warm-up fixture for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[33] He scored his only try of the tournament in a pool stage defeat against Wales as the hosts failed to reach the knock out phase.[34] He was a member of the squad that won the 2017 Six Nations Championship.[35][36] He scored tries against Wales, France and Ireland during the 2018 Six Nations Championship.[37][38][39] Later that year he scored in all three of their matches during the 2018 tour of South Africa.[40][41][42]

May was top try scorer during the 2019 Six Nations Championship, scoring six tries in total including a hat-trick against France and one apiece against Ireland, Italy and Scotland.[43] Later that year he was included in the squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and scored a try during a pool stage victory over Argentina.[44] May earned his fiftieth cap during the quarter-final which saw him score twice against Australia.[45] He started in the final as England were defeated by South Africa to finish runners up.[46]

May scored both of their tries during a defeat to France in the opening round of the 2020 Six Nations Championship.[47] He started in the last round of the competiton as England won away in Italy to claim the title.[48] Later that year he scored two tries in a victory over Ireland during the Autumn Nations Cup.[49] He started in the final as England defeated France in extra time to lift the trophy.[50] In February 2021, May became England's second highest try scorer, surpassing Will Greenwood and Ben Cohen after scoring his thirty-second test try during the 2021 Six Nations Championship.[51]

May was not initially included in the squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup however he was a late injury replacement for Anthony Watson.[52] He scored his thirty-sixth and last try for England in their warm-up defeat against Fiji.[53] May started in five of their fixtures at the tournament including the semi-final elimination against champions South Africa as England finished third.[54][55] After the world cup he announced his retirement from international rugby finishing with 36 tries in 78 caps.[55]

In June 2024 May scored twice for the Barbarians in a game against Fiji at Twickenham.[56]

Career statistics

List of international tries

As of 17 September 2023.[57]
Try Opposing team Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  New Zealand Twickenham Stadium, London 2014 Autumn Internationals 8 November 2014 Loss 21 – 24
2  Samoa 22 November 2014 Win 28 – 9
3
4  France 2015 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 15 August 2015 Win 19 – 14
5  Ireland 5 September 2015 Win 21 – 13
6  Wales 2015 Rugby World Cup 26 September 2015 Loss 25 – 28
7  South Africa 2016 Autumn Internationals 12 November 2016 Win 37 – 21
8  Argentina 26 November 2016 Win 27 – 14
9  Argentina Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan 2017 England rugby union tour of Argentina 10 June 2017 Win 38 – 34
10  Australia Twickenham Stadium, London 2017 Autumn Internationals 18 November 2017 Win 30 – 6
11  Wales 2018 Six Nations 10 February 2018 Win 12 – 6
12
13  France Stade de France, Paris 10 March 2018 Loss 16 – 22
14  Ireland Twickenham Stadium, London 17 March 2018 Loss 15 – 24
15  South Africa Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 2018 England rugby union tour of South Africa 9 June 2018 Loss 39 – 42
16 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 16 June 2018 Loss 12 – 23
17 Newlands Stadium, Cape Town 23 June 2018 Win 25 – 10
18  Australia Twickenham Stadium, London 2018 Autumn Internationals 24 November 2018 Win 37 – 18
19  Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin 2019 Six Nations 2 February 2019 Win 32 – 20
20  France Twickenham Stadium, London 10 February 2019 Win 44 – 8
21
22
23  Italy 9 March 2019 Win 57 – 14
24  Scotland 16 March 2019 Draw 38 – 38
25  Argentina Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo 2019 Rugby World Cup 5 October 2019 Win 39 – 10
26  Australia Ōita Stadium, Ōita 19 October 2019 Win 40 – 16
27
28  France Stade de France, Paris 2020 Six Nations 2 February 2020 Loss 17 – 24
29
30  Ireland Twickenham Stadium, London Autumn Nations Cup 21 November 2020 Win 18 – 7
31
32  Italy 2021 Six Nations 13 February 2021 Win 41 – 18
33  Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin 20 March 2021 Loss 18 – 32
34  Tonga Twickenham Stadium, London 2021 Autumn Internationals 6 November 2021 Win 69 – 3
35
36  Fiji 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 26 August 2023 Loss 22 – 30

International analysis by opposition

Against Pld W D L T C P DG PTS %Won
 Argentina 6 6 0 0 3 0 0 0 15 100
 Australia 7 6 0 1 4 0 0 0 20 85.71
 Fiji 3 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 5 66.67
 France 9 6 0 3 7 0 0 0 35 66.67
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100
 Ireland 8 6 0 2 6 0 0 0 30 75
 Italy 8 8 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 100
 Japan 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100
 New Zealand 5 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 5 20
 Samoa 3 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 100
 Scotland 5 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 5 40
 South Africa 10 4 0 6 4 0 0 0 20 40
 Tonga 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 100
 Wales 9 6 0 3 3 0 0 0 15 66.67
Total 78 55 2 21 36 0 0 0 180 70

Honours

England
Gloucester

References

  1. ^ a b "Jonny May player profile". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. ^ "ESPN Profile Jonny May". ESPN. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Gloucester: Jonny May seeks positives after England drop". BBC Sport. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Kitson, Robert (19 April 2013). "England beckons for Jonny May, the daring wing who is a bit different". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Six Nations 2014: Jonny May relishes Alex Cuthbert reunion". BBC Sport. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Iles, Robert (7 August 2017). "Jonny May's best moments during his time at Gloucester". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Leicester 33-11 Gloucester". BBC Sport. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  8. ^ Dick, Brian (3 October 2009). "Three penalty tries give Moseley victory over Coventry in derby classic at Butts Park Arena". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Heineken Cup: Gloucester 34-24 Toulouse". BBC Sport. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Ollie Devoto: Bath back earns LV= Cup breakthrough award". BBC Sport. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Gloucester centre Jonny May commits to new contract". BBC Sport. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  12. ^ "Jonny May signs new long term contract with Gloucester Rugby". Gloucester Rugby. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  13. ^ Osborne, Chris (18 April 2015). "European Challenge Cup: Gloucester 30-19 Exeter Chiefs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b Mitchell, Brendon (1 May 2015). "European Challenge Cup final: Edinburgh 13-19 Gloucester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  15. ^ a b Mitchell, Brendon (12 May 2017). "European Challenge Cup final: Gloucester 17-25 Stade Francais". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Jonny May: England wing joins Leicester Tigers as Ed Slater moves to Gloucester". BBC Sport. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  17. ^ Jones, Paul (24 October 2017). "Razor-sharp wing Jonny May has really caught the eye since joining Leicester Tigers". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Jonny May: England wing to rejoin Gloucester from Leicester Tigers at end of season". BBC Sport. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  19. ^ a b Derrick, Damian; Hurcom, Sophie (23 May 2024). "May hopes for 'fairytale ending' in final farewell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  20. ^ a b Hurcom, Sophie (24 May 2024). "Sharks overpower Gloucester to win Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Ex-England wing May to join French D2 side Angouleme". BBC Sport. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  22. ^ Mills, Simon (8 February 2010). "England U20 41 Wales U20 14". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Australia 28-16 England". World Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  24. ^ "England Saxons 23-17 Irish Wolfhounds". BBC Sport. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Scotland A thrash England Saxons at Galashiels". BBC Sport. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  26. ^ Standley, James (19 June 2012). "SA Northern Barbarians 31-57 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  27. ^ Slot, Owen (17 October 2019). "Jonny May made England debut against Argentina because he was only sober player available". The Times. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  28. ^ "England put 51 points on Argentina to seal series sweep". Sky Sports. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  29. ^ Fordyce, Tom (9 March 2014). "Six Nations 2014: England 29-18 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  30. ^ Standley, James (7 June 2014). "New Zealand beat England 20-15 through late Conrad Smith try". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  31. ^ Fordyce, Tom (8 November 2014). "England 21-24 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  32. ^ Kitson, Robert (14 November 2014). "Jonny May relaxed and relieved after breaking try duck for England". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  33. ^ Standley, James (5 September 2015). "Rugby World Cup 2015: England beat Ireland in final warm-up". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  34. ^ Fordyce, Tom (26 September 2015). "Wales stun England 28-25 in Rugby World Cup thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  35. ^ Fordyce, Tom (11 February 2017). "Six Nations: Wales 16-21 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  36. ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (18 March 2017). "Six Nations 2017: Ireland 13-9 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  37. ^ Fordyce, Tom (10 February 2018). "Six Nations: England 12-6 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  38. ^ Fordyce, Tom (10 March 2018). "Six Nations: France 22-16 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  39. ^ Fordyce, Tom (17 March 2018). "Six Nations: Ireland beat England 24-15 to win Grand Slam". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  40. ^ Standley, James (9 June 2018). "South Africa beat England 42-39 in first Test in Johannesburg". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  41. ^ Standley, James (16 June 2018). "South Africa 23-12 England: Tourists lose second Test for fifth defeat in row". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  42. ^ Standley, James (23 June 2018). "England beat South Africa 25-10 in third Test but lose series 2-1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  43. ^ Fordyce, Tom (10 February 2019). "England 44-8 France: Jonny May hat-trick inspires emphatic Six Nations victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  44. ^ Fordyce, Tom (5 October 2019). "England 39-10 Argentina: Eddie Jones' side qualify for World Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  45. ^ Fordyce, Tom (19 October 2019). "England beat Australia 40-16 to make Rugby World Cup semi-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  46. ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (2 November 2019). "England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  47. ^ Fordyce, Tom (2 February 2020). "France 24-17 England: England lose Six Nations opener in Paris". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  48. ^ a b Grey, Becky (31 October 2020). "Italy 5-34 England: Visitors' victory proves enough to win Six Nations title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  49. ^ Grey, Becky (21 November 2020). "England 18-7 Ireland: Jonny May stars in emphatic and entertaining victory for hosts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  50. ^ a b Henson, Mike (6 December 2020). "Autumn Nations Cup: England beat France in sudden death". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  51. ^ Grey, Becky (13 February 2021). "England 41-18 Italy: Jonny May and Anthony Watson offer distraction from England's deficiencies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  52. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023: Jonny May replaces injured Anthony Watson in England squad". BBC Sport. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  53. ^ "England 22-30 Fiji: Pacific island nation beat England for first time". BBC Sport. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  54. ^ Henson, Mike (22 October 2023). "England 15-16 South Africa: Springboks fightback settles World Cup semi-final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  55. ^ a b "Jonny May: England wing retires from international rugby". BBC Sport. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  56. ^ "Barbarians 45-32 Fiji". BBC Sport. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Jonny May". ESPN. Retrieved 7 July 2019.

External links

  • v
  • t
  • e
England squad – 2015 Rugby World Cup
Forwards
Backs
Head coach: Lancaster
  • v
  • t
  • e
England squad – 2019 Rugby World Cup runners-up
Forwards
Backs
Head coach: Jones
  • v
  • t
  • e
England squad – 2023 Rugby World Cup third place
Forwards
Backs
Head coach: Steve Borthwick