Mesmeric Jonny May ready to step up for Red Rose
May is stepping up his workload after recovering from the cruciate injury he sustained last Christmas – a welcome boost for club and country.
Taylor told TRP: “It was fantastic to have Jonny back against Bayonne and considering he’d been out so long, his skill-set was great.
“Jonny’s a bundle of energy and so elusive. He’s got that much pace and his lateral movement and ability to find outside breaks is world-class.”
With regular England wings Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell sidelined, Taylor added: “You’d like to think he’s got a chance for November.
“There’s massive competition, but Jonny will be in close talks with Eddie Jones and his goal is to get back into that England team.”
May, left, has a chance to prove himself in Friday’s crunch Premiership clash at Northampton.
“It’s massive,” Taylor said. “It’s been a frustrating start but we’ve been excellent away from home, with a win and two draws.
“Losing all three home games has hurt us, but the boys are still really positive and, hopefully, we can now move up the table.”
Taylor, 34, succeeded Nick Walshe as backs coach in May and is drawing on experience gained as a player, notably a four-year stint in New Zealand with Tasman Makos and the Crusaders under coach Robbie Deans.
Former fly-half Taylor explained: “Robbie was excellent and did loads of work with me on seeing space and decision-making. I gained some great ideas in New Zealand and I’m applying a lot of it in training here now.
“In New Zealand it was very player-led, with guys like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter taking charge, and that’s what we’re trying to instil.”
Taylor is keen for fly-half Billy Burns to take charge at Kingsholm.
He added: “Billy’s only 22 but he already has the whole skill-set. He’s done a great job and has really fronted up in defence, so it’s just about fine-tuning his game-management now so he can become a top, top player.”
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