MAY’S GONE FROM CRAZY HORSE TO WONDER WING
IT HAS been a disjointed Six Nations full of bad weather and postponed matches. England have spluttered a little but, with a decent forecast, I’m hoping and expecting to see an all- court performance from Eddie Jones’ team against Wales at Twickenham today.
Above all else, I am looking forward to watching Jonny May and the England back three go to work against the Welsh.
They will have quality opponents lined up against them but May, Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson is a potent combination.
This trio did so well for most of the World Cup and it’s time for them to take centre stage again.
May is an interesting character. I’ve always loved his electric pace and attacking ability but, even as recently as 18 months ago, I did not feel he was totally nailed down as a starter. Since then he has added so much to his game, not least his work under the high ball in defensive situations.
His defence has also tightened up and, ultimately, in an area of real strength for England, he has seen off all rivals. His name will be one of the first on the England teamsheet these days.
Then there’s the tries he scores! Amid the disappointment of England’s opening defeat in Paris, I am not sure he received enough credit for the two belters he scored at the Stade de France.
Clever kicks ahead plus great running angles, big steps off his right foot and he always has that pace that makes even opposition wings look like they are running in treacle.
His record of 23 tries in 43 Tests speaks for itself. Many of those scores were outstanding individual efforts but what I really like about May is that, at 29, he is clearly still improving.
He was a very raw, untutored talent in the early days, a bit of a crazy horse who could be a world beater one day but cost you dearly the next with an error or a poor decision.
He has worked on that and I suspect there is still more to come from him. The prospect of May on the hard grounds down in South Africa next summer with the Lions would be one to savour if he can maintain fitness and form.
And then there is George North on the Wales wing. He is still only 27 and has notched up 40 tries in 94 Wales appearances. North was an absolutely phenomenal wing in his late teens and early 20s and scored tries for fun for Wales and the Lions.
Everything seemed to come so naturally. It was as if he didn’t have to work for it but don’t be fooled — I’m sure he worked like a dog.
Injuries and a series of concussions seemed to dent his confidence a little. The talent and physical attributes are still there but, for me, North has plateaued and even dipped a little.
He doesn’t pose the threat he once did seven or eight years ago.
One of Wayne Pivac’s biggest tasks as the new Wales coach will be to get more out of North and today would be an opportune time to start that process in earnest.
Hopefully we can enjoy the wide men in action this evening but, as ever, that will depend on who gets on top up front.
I think England have the edge in the front five and have again gone with a 6-2 split on the bench in an attempt to accentuate that forward power. It worked against Ireland but the danger of a glut of injuries in the backs and the inability to replace them adequately remains.
I would like to see England sharpen up after the half-time break. England have been good starters in recent years and that was again the case against the Irish but at 17-0 up at the break, they weren’t quite home and hosed.
England should have closed out more ruthlessly. Instead their intensity dropped after the break and they lost the second half 12-7.
That sort of mental blip could be costly against Wales, who rarely fade away against England.
My memory from their recent visits to Twickenham is that they always seem to build a head of steam in the second half.
England need to be aware of this. Do that and they should win by a score or two.