Bubbling May can’t wait to face Boks

JONNY MAY is set to return to England colours at Twickenham on Saturday vowing to put nine months of pain behind him after successful knee surgery.

The Gloucester wing has not played for England since last year’s World Cup exit against Australia but is expected to be named on Thursday in Eddie Jones’ side to face South Africa. He is set to win his 20th cap on the left wing, with Bath’s Semesa Rokoduguni on the right following the injury-enforced absence of first-choice finishers Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell.

May said: ‘In some ways it feels like I have been out for ages, in some ways it feels like it just happened.

‘It was a tough time, really hard. But it’s done now and I’ve made a good recovery. I’m excited that I am back playing rugby.’

England’s recent training camp in Portugal saw May room with Rokodoguni and the Gloucester star is excited about partnering the in-form Bath flier if he gets the nod ahead of Marland Yarde, who has not been at his best for Harlequins this season.

May added: ‘I’ve known him for a few years and he’s a good guy. He’s got some funny stories, and he’s definitely the in-form winger.

‘He’s been doing some great stuff. He’s finding a way to score tries and be a threat. So, he’s on fire.’

With 12 potentially first-choice players injured, head coach Jones is set to name Wasps captain Joe Launchbury alongside Bath’s Dave Attwood in the second row if Courtney Lawes fails to recover from a knee problem.