Best is yet to come after worst year in my life – Jonny May
After overcoming a nightmare 10 months of injury hell, Gloucester flyer May made an impressive return to the England fold during the autumn, featuring strongly against South Africa, Argentina and Australia and notching two superb tries in the process.
However, with Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson coming back from injury and Bath man Semesa Rokoduguni continuing to press claims, 26-year-old May knows he must improve again to remain one of Eddie Jones‘ first choices for the Six Nations.
May told The Rugby Paper: “The autumn probably exceeded expectations of where I’d be. I was chucked back in the deep end a bit and wasn’t necessarily in the form or shape of my life, but I found a way to perform and it was awesome to be part of.
“Eddie’s been brilliant to me. He kept in touch while I was out injured with my knee and he’s given me loads of confidence. He seems to like what I do, so that’s good news for me, and I just want to play hard for him, for England and do him proud.
“At the same time, though, I understand there’s a lot of competition and it’s all about making sure that brings out the best of you and drives you to get better. It definitely does with me and I’m focussing on myself and trying to be the best I can be.
May added: “I’ve had a pretty tough year, the worst ten months of my life, but I worked hard and everything that went into my rehab meant I could get out there and perform.
“I’ve put my injury behind me and, hopefully, my best days are ahead.
“Gloucester have been brilliant as well. I’ve had real good physio work and strength and conditioning so I’m confident I can be better than I ever was and play some good stuff for Gloucester over the coming weeks, and then England in the Six Nations.”
Gloucester’s campaign is sparking into life, with a crucial match against Harlequins at Twickenham on the horizon to attain a top six place.
May insists speculation over Gloucester’s ownership and the future of rugby director David Humphreys will not become a distraction.
“No chance,” he says. “We’re just focussed on what we’re doing and working hard to get better. The environment around the team is awesome at the moment and everyone’s excited to be in a side that’s playing well and bringing the best out of one another.
“There are good signs. The start of the season was crazy and we threw some games away, but we’re playing good stuff and seem to have turned the corner.
“We’ve got a huge game at Quins to push into the top six and it’s crucial we keep playing well because we cannot afford to keep slipping off the pace.”
Of his hopes to tour with the Lions next summer, May adds: “That would be the dream, but I just want to play good rugby and get better. There’s so much to focus on with Gloucester right now and, as I know more than anyone, a week can be a very long time in rugby.”
NEALE HARVEY
