Jonny May is on course to return for Gloucester next month, having spent all of this year sidelined by a knee injury. The wing has been named in England’s training squad for the four November internationals with his club keen to get him back into national colours.
“Jonny is coming on really well and has been taking part in our skill sessions and we are involving him in some controlled contact elements,” said the Gloucester defence coach, Jonny Bell. “He is bursting to get back on the pitch and we have to make sure everything is right because we want him pushing for England again. There is a chance he could be back some time next month, but we cannot yet set an exact date.”
Gloucester want their other England players, who include Ben Morgan, Matt Kvesic and Billy Twelvetrees, to be noticed by Eddie Jones, but they have made a typically inconsistent start to the season, blowing a 24-point lead against Leicester before coming from behind to secure a draw at Worcester.
They face Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday night, a ground where the Sharks have lost only once in the Premiership in their last 14 matches – to Gloucester at the end of last season. “They will be wanting to put that right,” Bell said, “but we know that if we can get our processes right, we can win again.”
“Results have been frustrating because we know what we are capable of, but we have only had two games and are not jumping to any conclusions. Exeter have lost their first two matches and they will not be panicking; nor are we. It is a competitive league and in the past we would have folded at Worcester. The players showed mental strength and they are in a good place. The more we have involved with England the better because it would be an indication of strength.
“We are training differently this season. Sessions are shorter but more intense and our attacking game is improving. We have worked hard with the players on skills and it is about players making decisions. Saracens are a pragmatic side who used to get terrible abuse for the way they played, squeezing teams. They are the league and European champions now and they are admired. Everyone is different and no matter how you play, it is about eliminating mistakes.”
