Leicester Tigers are delighted to announce the signing of England international Jonny May from Gloucester Rugby for the start of the 2017/18 season.
His move to Tigers will see second-rower Ed Slater move in the opposite direction to join the Kingsholm club.
England international winger May has established himself as a key member of a successful England squad, and was named by head coach Eddie Jones in his training group for a pre-season camp last weekend.
A natural finisher, May has scored nine tries in 27 games for his country. In club colours, May has scored 62 tries in 138 games, including 41 in 91 Premiership Rugby appearances and five in 13 games in the Champions Cup.
“Jonny is an out-and-out finisher with an outstanding try-scoring record and I think he is a fantastic addition to the group.”
Tigers head coach Matt O'Connor
May played in both Tests of England’s victorious tour to Argentina this summer, scoring in the opening win in San Juan. He also played his part in England’s 2017 Six Nations triumph with appearances in the wins against France, Wales and Italy, and scored a memorable try against the All Blacks, his first for his country, at Twickenham in 2014.
The 27-year-old’s signing is a huge statement of intent by the Tigers and backing for head coach Matt O’Connor. May will add to a talented and exciting group of backs at Welford Road that already includes England internationals George Ford, Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi, Australia centre Matt Toomua, Tonga international Telusa Veainu and last season’s Players’ Player of the Year Adam Thompstone.
Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said: “We are absolutely delighted to add to the quality of our backs with the signing of Jonny May.
“Jonny is a proven international and has played a lot of rugby at Premiership and Test level and will add a lot of experience to the squad.
“He is an out-and-out finisher with an outstanding try-scoring record and I think he is a fantastic addition to the group.”
Slater, 29, made 96 starting appearances and 40 from the bench for Tigers after making his debut in September 2010, scoring 11 tries and was a part of the squad that won the Aviva Premiership in 2012/13.
O’Connor said: “Ed has been a fantastic servant to the club. He arrived as a young man and worked incredibly hard to put himself in the frame for England and to become club captain. We wish him all the best.”
