Reports in France say decision has been made over Jonny May's future

Jonny May, who is England’s second-highest try-scorer of all-time, is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season when his contract with French Pro D2 outfit SA XV Charente runs out.

Midi Olympique are reporting that winger May, 36, who scored 36 tries in 78 appearances for England, will retire after spending the last two seasons in Soy­aux-Angoulême, where he has scored seven tries in 27 games.

Only Rory Underwood, who touched down 49 times, has scored more tries for England than the former Leicester Tigers and Gloucester flyer, who moved to France in 2024 when his contract with the Kingsholm-based side ended.

May, who started England’s 2019 World Cup final defeat at the hands of South Africa, made his final appearance for the Red Rose in their 2023 semi-final defeat to the Boks.

He scored Gloucester’s winning try in their 2015 European Challenge Cup semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs and picked up a winners’ medal after they beat Edinburgh in the final.

Fixture

Pro D2

Provence Rugby

10:30

24 Apr 26

Soyaux Angouleme

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May joined an exodus of English players leaving the PREM for France, which included Northampton duo Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam, Saracens captain Owen Farrell, and Sale centre Manu Tuilagi and said at the time he had never been more excited.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about signing a contract than this time with SA XV. I’m 110% committed to giving my best rugby to this team,” he said.

May could now pursue a post-playing career with the RAF Fire Service, after previously admitting he had been looking into it, telling The Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast.

“The fire service is something I might be interested in looking into. It’s just like an idea I’ve had. We all have to start somewhere. It’s shift work: two days, two nights, an eight-day week, four days off. It’s brilliant, it’s a team environment that incorporates the rugby lifestyle into a new career.”