Johnny May admits he is obsessed with rugby. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Johnny May has vowed to «break into» the wing's remainder of the World Cup will almost certainly be his last hurrah as an England international.
The 33-year-old missed out on Steve Borthwick's initial World Cup squad but made the most of his second chance when Anthony Watson suffered a calf injury to establish himself as first choice striker.
He starts the final Group D match against Samoa on Saturday, but he fully admits that he can only hold off the younger generation led by Henry Arundell, who scored five tries against Chile, and so on.< /p>
“This will definitely be my last World Cup, it will probably be my last time playing for England at this World Cup,” May said. “Never say never, but this will most likely be my last England campaign. And I'm incredibly excited to be here.
“I told Steve in January, 'I'm ready, I'm ready,' and that's the kind of guy I am. I certainly don't want to get to the point where I can't demonstrate or perform at a level that suits me.
«While I can work as hard as I can in the time I have, which I have done — I've worked hard on staying fresh while being a student of recovery and longevity — I'm also realistic about [having] maybe a couple more years to play , compete and get the same results as now, I think that's realistic, but it probably won't happen beyond that. So just hurry up and give everything I can in this last period of time.”
Johnny May greets a young horse racing fan during the Corrida Rose, a 10K charity race in Le Touquet, where England is based. Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
May has no intention of hanging up his boots for Gloucester but is currently studying for a PGCert in Strategic Business as he faces the “scary reality” of life after rugby. After missing out on selection for the Lions' tour to South Africa in 2021, competing at this World Cup was May's last major goal, and achieving it provided a certain sense of liberation for a man who readily admits that he is «driven by fear» .
“I won’t get out of shape over certain things,” May said. “I just need to do the best I can, keep my head down and then everyone's attention won't be on me. I prefer it, I can just mind my own business. But there's also this pressure that this is my last time and God, I want to perform as well as I can.
“My big goal was the Lions tour in 2021. It's just a life lesson: sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to, and sometimes life can be a little shitty and unfair. And that made me the guy I am today. It has matured my soul, does it make sense?
“Besides this Lions tour, I've seen some extra time at international level, to be honest. I still feel like I'm doing my best and can contribute, and the total package I can bring is second to none on my day. That's what motivates me to stay here.»
Catherine, Princess of Wales talks to Freddie Steward and Johnny May after England's win at World Cup over Argentina. Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
When asked to describe his defining characteristic as a striker, May spoke about his ability to chase and win high balls, as well as his ability to defend on the edge. It would seem to be a much less attractive skill set than the one Arundell's five tries showed against Chile, but May argues that scoring goals in space is the easy part of Test rugby for a forward.
«Of course I'd like to get the ball in space, I'd like to score goals, I'd like to do all those things, that's what comes naturally to any striker,» May said. “In the Premier League there are probably 15 strikers and if you give them space they will get it done, you give them a loose ball in the backfield and they will pick it up and go. That's what we do, and that's why we take the position we do.
“But probably only a small percentage of people can do all the other things and play the game, a proper Test match, in where you will not touch the ball.
“You might not touch the ball for 30 minutes and then you have to deal with the ball at the back of the pitch, then you have to take the width away from your forwards, then you have to take the high ball. It's lonely and very difficult out there.”
May readily admits that he is obsessed with his rugby. When asked about the match against Samoa in 2014, the first time George Ford and Owen Farrell played together, May immediately recalled the two tries he scored that day. No player is more finicky about preparation and recovery. However, when retirement comes, May believes his future will be outside the sport.
“I think it will be a significant relief,” May said. “When this is over, you will feel relieved because playing for your country is not only a blessing, but also a burden that you carry. You wear it with your club, at Christmas you think, “I should be in this, I should be in this,” and that’s what drives me. But when club and international rugby comes to an end, I will be relieved to know that I did everything I could.”
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