>> May: Tigers have taken me to new level
JONNY May insists he has no regrets about becoming a Tiger, and that the ‘big change’ has boosted his bid to become England’s tryscoring machine.
And the 27-year-old wing hopes Eddie Jones will let him off the leash again to terrorise the Scots at Murrayfield next Saturday.
Jones heaped praise on May after his try double proved the crucial difference in the 12-6 victory over Wales at Twickenham.
This week May outlined his desire to “be the fastest around” and still seeks to get faster after his exploits in helping England take a large step towards a third successive Six Nations title.
In terms of progressing as an international predator to fear, May reckons moving from the West Country to the East Midlands has improved his overall performance.
Gloucester may have beaten Leicester last weekend and sit above them in the Premiership table, but May told The Rugby Paper: “It was definitely what I needed, and I don’t have any regrets. It was a huge decision for me at the time because I like routine and suddenly it was a big change. But it was necessary for what I wanted to achieve and what I want to do.
“You want to win and play in a winning side but it was more about personal development. It has challenged me in different ways and I feel I am improving as a player all the time.
“I physically feel sharper than ever, and I am learning a lot each week. Whether that is working off my wing or on the edge to put myself in the best position to beat defenders and score tries, that’s why I am on the pitch.
“I want to back that up with a solid all-round game. I’m clear in what I want to do and it is working out well. I am finding opportunities and making opportunities at the moment, and that is what I’ve got to judge myself on.”
On the prospect of facing a pumped up Scotland side on their home soil, May insisted: “Every match in the Six Nations is a different kind of test. Italy are a hard team to break down and Wales are always a huge danger. We’ve managed to beat them but three more very difficult tests lie ahead.
“The team will need to be ready for whatever Scotland throw at us, but historically, it has always been a very tough place to go and play.
“We will be going there with plenty of confidence and with two good wins under our belt. This England team has learned how to win the tight matches and get over the line when needed. So if it gets close again at Murrayfield we can fall back on recent experiences of how to get things done.”
Exeter back row Sam Simmonds is out of England’s next two matches after picking up a shoulder injury in the victory over Wales but should be fit to face Ireland. Wasps No.8 Nathan Hughes is set to start in Simmonds’ absence, after recovering from a knee problem.