Jonny May has become the third England player to retire after the Rugby World Cup, joining Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs in calling time on his international career.
May, 33, ends his career as England’s second top try-scorer with 36 tries in 78 appearances, making his debut in 2013 before going on to score at least twice in every single year between 2014 and 2021.
His final try came in August’s defeat to Fiji, in a performance which helped him get drafted in to the World Cup squad for this year and secure a trip to the tournament for the third time.
“Words can’t describe the journey that I’ve been on so I won’t try to put it into words,” he said in a statement on englandrugby.com.
“At this point in time all I want to say from the bottom of my heart is a huge thank you to everybody who has been a part of this journey with me.
“It’s an honour and a dream to represent my country and although I won’t be out there on the pitch anymore physically, I will always feel connected to this team in spirit.”
May will be remembered as one of England’s all-time great wingers, getting his first big run of games as he started each of his country’s 2014 Six Nations matches before going on to score an iconic solo try against New Zealand in that year’s Autumn Internationals.
He scored what looked to be a vital try in the first-half England’s game against Wales in the World Cup the following year, and though the men in white went on to lose that match and were eliminated in the pool stage of their home tournament, he continued to play as Eddie Jones took charge of the team.
After a lengthy injury ruled him out of the England squad through most of 2016, he returned to feature in the side that defended the Six Nations title the following year and scored in England’s series win in Argentina later that year.
But perhaps his most impressive year came in 2018, as he scored seven tries despite England losing more tests than they won through the year, with May scoring four times in four different games they were beaten in.
The following year he scored one try more than the previous one, earning the top try-scorer accolade at the 2019 Six Nations and playing a key role in England’s run to the final with tries against Argentina and Australia. After another stunning solo effort against Ireland was the highlight of his 2020, he moved ahead of Ben Cohen and Will Greenwood as England’s outright second top try-scorer with a flying finish against Italy in February of the year after.
He struggled for consistent gametime in the years following that but showed solidity underneath the high ball throughout a World Cup where that skill was integral to coach Steve Borthwick‘s tactical plan, none more so than in England’s defeat to South Africa in the semi-finals – his final game for his country.
“A big special mention to my England team-mates, guys who have lived every moment with me,” he continued.
“I’ve made memories and friends for life. And quickly, just to mention one in particular, George Ford. Thank you mate.
“Another special thank you – a huge thank you – to the England fans. The ones at Twickenham, the ones who have made all this come to life for me. It’s been incredible.”
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