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'World's deadliest winger' is likened to Forrest Gump

By Online Editors
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Jonny May is viewed by England team-mate Ben Youngs as the deadliest wing in the world who shows flashes of Forrest Gump.

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The Leicester duo are plotting the downfall of Wales in Saturday’s seismic Six Nations title clash with May’s speed and finishing instincts sure to be central in Eddie Jones’ gameplan.

The 28-year-old has plundered 12 tries in as many Tests, including a devastating hat-trick against France in round two, to emerge as a superstar of the game.

“Jonny’s been phenomenal the last 12 months, if not longer,” Youngs said of his Leicester colleague. “He’s certainly the in-form winger in the world and perhaps the best winger in the world at the moment. The threat Jonny poses is out-and-out pace and that’s incredibly hard to deal with. You’re not going to win a foot race against him.

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“When someone is as quick as him you know that when the ball is put in behind you, he’s going to be there. He suddenly appears, a bit like Forrest Gump on that kick return in the movie where he gets given the ball and he just goes!”

By his own admission, May is “a bit different to most of the others” in a team now rated as favourites to relieve Ireland of their Six Nations crown.

England scrum-half Danny Care recently claimed that he “used to think he was possessed by a chicken!”

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Care added: “He used to go around clucking and thought this chicken demon was inside him. I don’t know whether it was an act or true – with Jonny you just never know!”

For all the entertainment provided by England’s sharpest attacking weapon, May insists the blistering form that began during the 2018 summer tour to South Africa is the product of years of toil on the practise field.

“Do you think I was possessed by a chicken? It’s a bit silly isn’t it? I don’t think at any stage that has happened,” he said. “What’s been a little bit funny to me is that everyone’s now saying ‘wow’ whereas I feel it hasn’t happened overnight.

“I feel like I’ve been working hard over a long period of time. You’ve got to stick at it and keep working hard. People might suddenly start taking notice but that’s not going to make me think anything different other than ‘I want to keep doing what I’m doing’.

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Jonny May celebrates his first try against France (Photo: Getty Images)

“I am a much different player to what I was and I am proud of where I am and where I have come from when you think about my first 10 games. I have scored a lot in my last 12 – more than in my first 30 – is that luck or a coincidence? Maybe it is, but I know my game is better now and the tries come with that.”

May is aware that his profile has rocketed, but takes a level-headed approach to the mass of plaudits that have descended upon him. “I try to avoid it as much as I can, that is my first strategy, but it’s hard,” May said.

“Without knowing, your sister sends you a silly interview of something. Or you pick up a paper or flick on your Instagram. It is hard to escape it all. Although it’s nice, it’s irrelevant. I am not the sort of guy to get distracted by that, or think I’ve made it.

“Whether it is good or bad you have got to stick to your plan and keeping working hard. That is what I have been doing.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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