JONNY BE GOOD Jones tells May this is his time
JOHNNY SEXTON was on fire to reignite Ireland’s Six Nations hopes in Dublin.
After their opening day shocker at Murrayfield – coach Joe Schmidt knew he had no margin for error if he wanted to set up a St Patrick’s weekend showdown with England.
But while Rome was not built in a day – Ireland’s confidence was rebuilt during the 63-10 win in the Italian capital.
They look a different side to the one who allowed Scotland walk Ireland 19 France 9
That instruction has come from head coach Eddie Jones (below) and the Gloucester star intends to make the most of it.
May, 26, was dropped to the bench for the Wales game after starting his side’s opening Six Nations match with France.
But the man who wins his 25th cap today said: “I just want to go out there and do the very best I can.
“I want to go hard from the start. It’s very tight for spots and I have to show I deserve one.
“Eddie just said to me that it’s his job to worry about selection and mine to worry about performing well. That’s the best piece of advice you can get really.
“He wants me to work hard, put pace on the ball and be decisive when the openings come along.
“He also wants me to score tries and I have a licence to pop up anywhere.”
May has previously been ordered to get his beard shaved off by Jones.
And now he wants to be a cut above the rest after admitting he has enjoyed the intense training sessions under his Aussie gaffer.
May said: “Eddie is always trying to make me better.
“He wants me to run deeper, wider, flatter, faster. He’s always pushing me. He just wants me to get better and better. That goes for everyone.
“The training is tough but we enjoy it. We realise we can train harder than we have and we are reaping the rewards. The hard work in training is through them in Edinburgh and it is not hard to see why.
Sexton, their playmaker and organiser of their defence, is back and he looks as good as ever – scoring 11 of Ireland’s points yesterday.
The other points came from Paddy Jackson’s boot and a try from Conor Murray.
Three penalties from Camille Lopez will be little consolation for the beaten French. GARY FITZGERALD showing on the field as we have finished the first two games well. “That’s because last week was supposed to be a fallow week but we had two monstrous sessions.” Owen Farrell will make his 50th appearance for his country today and May wants to help celebrate the landmark in a special way. And he understands why people are predicting the son of former rugby league hero and England coach Andy will lead the side in the future. Jones chose to keep Dylan Hartley as his leader for a game England are expected to win comfortably, rather than throw Farrell the chance to show his captaincy skills. May said: “Owen is an out-and-out leader. He leads by example and we all follow him. He has been in this environment for a while now and he is wise beyond his years. “We will have a team meeting the night before and will talk about the fact it is Owen’s 50th cap but he won’t want it to be about him. “He is a competitor who wants to win all the time. “He never wimps out of anything. He inspires you.” SCOTLAND ended 10 years of hurt against Wales with a brave second-half display to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive at Murrayfield.
Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser scored tries after half-time, while 19 points from fly-half Finn Russell saw Scotland home 29-13 as they posted a first victory over Wales since 2007.
Wales had looked on course for a 10th successive win in the fixture when a Liam Williams try and two penalties and a Scotland 29 Wales 13 conversion from Leigh Halfpenny gave them a seven-point lead approaching the interval.
But they failed to record a single point in the second half to leave Welsh hopes of Six Nations silverware in ruins following two defeats on the bounce.
Meanwhile, buoyant Scotland will now head to Twickenham in pursuit of a first Triple Crown for 27 years when they face England on March 11.