Jonny May is gearing up for the Rugby World Cup in France. Where he believes his international career will come to a close. However, he sees this as an opportunity for England to secure the coveted trophy. And is determined to make the most of his “bonus time” on the field. Initially left out of England’s squad for the tournament, May received a lifeline. Anthony Watson’s injury led to his inclusion in the starting lineup for the final pool-stage match against Samoa.
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Despite harboring hopes of making the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa earlier in 2021. A challenging Six Nations campaign dashed those dreams for May and several of Eddie Jones’s players. May now view each additional international honor as a delightful surprise. With England already securing a spot in the quarter-finals and a potential clash with Fiji on the horizon. He is determined to conclude his career with a Rugby World Cup winner’s medal.
He stated, “This will be my last Rugby World Cup, most likely my last time playing for England.” May acknowledges the significance of this campaign and the importance of giving his all in his remaining time on the field. He is motivated to perform at his best and avoid ending his career on an unsatisfactory note.
May’s Resurgence: England’s Rugby World Cup Redemption
Jonny May reflects on his rugby journey, acknowledging that while the 2021. Lions tour was a significant goal that eluded him, he is now at peace with that outcome. He sees his international career as bonus time, beyond the Lions tour, and is fully accepting of this perspective. May recognizes the importance of making the most of this bonus time, as England has a golden opportunity to secure victory in the Rugby World Cup. And he is determined to make his teammates, family, and country proud.
In France, Rugby World Cup May has solidified his position as a key player, earning a place back in the starting lineup. Despite Henry Arundell’s impressive performance with five tries against Chile in England’s previous match. May understands the unique strengths he brings to the team, particularly his exceptional kick-chasing abilities. He believes he can still compete with the best in the sport and is motivated to contribute his full range of skills to the team’s success.
England’s focus is now on their upcoming match against Samoa in Lille. The team has already secured a spot in the quarter-finals, ensuring a first-place finish in Pool D. Head coach Steve Borthwick has made minimal changes to the starting XV. With Jonny May and captain Owen Farrell being notable additions. Additionally, Tom Curry is set to earn his 49th test cap after returning from a two-match suspension. England is taking no chances and is fully committed to their Rugby World Cup campaign.
Rugby World Cup 2027: Samoa’s High Stakes Match Against England
In the upcoming Rugby World Cup match, England’s starting front row, consisting of Ellis Genge, Jamie George, and Dan Cole, mirrors the lineup from their convincing 48-14 victory over Samoa in 2017. Meanwhile, Samoa has its sights set on securing third place and a spot in the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. They know that automatic qualification for the next tournament is not within their control. The final decision on the second quarter-finalist from Pool D will be determined by Argentina and Japan in their upcoming Sunday match.
Head coach Seilala Mapusua has made significant changes to Samoa’s starting XV for the match in RWC. This includes an entirely new front row comprising Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo, and captain Michael Alaalatoa, as well as a fresh second-row duo of Sam Slade and Brian Alainu’u’ese. Only a handful of players, namely Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua, Jonathan Taumateine, Tumua Manu, and Duncan Paia’aua, will retain their positions from the previous match, which ended in a 28-22 loss to Japan.
The outcome of the Japan vs. Argentina match in Nantes will ultimately determine the quarter-final qualification and an Australia berth. A surprise victory for Samoa in their upcoming match could increase the pressure on both Japan and Argentina at Stade de la Beaujoire. England has been the most prolific kicking team in the tournament, averaging over 42 kicks per game. They boast the highest success rate in the Rugby World Cup for regaining possession from these kicks.
Samoa’s Rugby World Cup Challenge: Battling Tier-One Preparation
For head coach Steve Borthwick, success as a coach has often come through effective game plans. And relentless pressure, even if it doesn’t always result in the most attractive style of play. Leicester’s recent success in the Premiership, where they topped the table in 2022, serves as an example. Despite scoring fewer tries than the teams below them, Leicester’s approach delivered results and trophies. Borthwick appears to be banking on the cohesion of the selected 15 players in this match. Their first outing together before the intense pressure of the knockout stage in the Rugby World Cup.
In a Rugby World Cup sideshow, Owen Farrell is steadily closing in on a significant milestone of his own. With just one point shy of Jonny Wilkinson’s total of 1179, this upcoming match could be the one. Where he surpasses the World Cup winner to become England’s all-time leading Test points scorer. During Thursday’s media conference, Samoa’s initial focus seemed to be more on words than numbers. Some of their players engaged in a private bet to see if they could slip certain phrases into their answers.
Steven Luatua shared how he had been learning the songs sung by his grandparents. Since switching his international allegiance from New Zealand, he added a personal touch to the conversation. Lima Sopoaga, another former All-Black, humorously mentioned his ongoing quest to find a cherished kicking tee that mysteriously disappeared after their opening-round victory over Chile. However, Coach Mapusua brought a more serious perspective to the discussion. He pointed out that Samoa had faced four tier-one teams in this Rugby World Cup, highlighting the stark contrast in their preparation compared to England’s.
Samoa’s Call for Clarity: Addressing Disparities in Rugby World Cup Preparation
While Samoa played only 15 matches between the last two tournaments, often against invitational or secondary teams, England had a significantly higher number of matches—40, mostly against established top-tier opponents. When asked about this glaring difference, Mapusua expressed his desire for more clarity and opportunities for his team to play more Test matches between Rugby World Cups believing that increased game time would lead to improvements.
England’s scrum coach, Tom Harrison, emphasized the need for his side to “front up” against Samoa in the Rugby World Cup this weekend, recognizing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Pacific Islanders are renowned for their physical prowess, and they are determined to display that attribute on Saturday in Lille.
According to lock Brian Alainu’u’ese, this style means performing one’s duties to the best of their ability while infusing physicality into every aspect of the game, all with a smile on their face. In the northern France Rugby World Cup, Samoa’s squad will encounter a familiar face in Manu Tuilagi, who is not only an England player but also a fluent Samoan speaker. Tuilagi will be lining up at center for England against the country of his birth for the first time.
Tusi Pisi, Samoa’s assistant coach, echoed the sentiment of embracing their Samoan identity and playing with a similar level of commitment and physicality. He playfully mentioned the exchange of gifts on the field between Tuilagi and his Samoan compatriots, signifying the shared respect and competitive spirit that will define their Rugby World Cup encounter.
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