Henry Arundell primed to take over from mentor Jonny May as England's speed merchant

Red Rose face Argentina tonight with glimpse to the future
Nick Purewal27 October 2023

For once, a group of British speed merchants might just pull off a seamless passing of the baton.

When England take on Argentina for third place at the Rugby World Cup in Paris tonight, Jonny May will complete an interchange with Henry Arundell that has the hallmarks of a smooth transition.

British sprinting history might be littered with the disastrous clang of metal on track, but the selfless May has ensured a handover with a difference in France.

The Gloucester wing won his 78th and most likely final England cap in the agonising 16-15 semi-final defeat by South Africa at the Stade de France last weekend.

May, 33, will end his Test career as the very exemplar of what exacting head coach Steve Borthwick wants from his Red Rose wingers.

Jonny May bows out of England duty tonight
AFP via Getty Images

The demands Borthwick places on his wide men are simple, but extremely difficult to execute. England’s regimented World Cup gameplan has required excellence in kick-chase and defensive duties.

However far England expand their attack in future, those fundamentals are always vital for teams to thrive in the Test arena — even for the speedsters and try machines.

May was anything but a kick-chase and defensive animal when he burst onto the scene with Gloucester. The raw speed king stunned Harlequins and the Premiership with a wonder solo score at Kingsholm in February 2012.

Even May would have admitted his mind would wander back then. But by listening, learning and grafting harder than pretty much anyone else, he built a formidable Test career, block by block.

Arundell shocked the international world with his own wonder try against Australia in July 2022, and has since conjured an equally stupendous score against Toulon for London Irish to boot.

The 20-year-old racked up five tries in England’s facile 71-0 victory over Chile, again showcasing his rich Test potential. But demanding Borthwick has not yet seen enough in Arundell’s nuts-and-bolts work to deem him ready for the toughest challenges.

Arundell will start tonight’s match, however, with a fine chance to set the tone for a big Test future.

May branded this World Cup “bonus time” on his own international career, and has spent endless time in England’s camp helping Arundell round out some of those rough edges. The fruit may well not be brought to bear for some time, but Borthwick will be eternally grateful to May for his ad hoc coaching efforts.

“Jonny May has taken Henry Arundell under his wing and has shared all of his knowledge,” said the head coach. “Henry has a great thirst for knowledge. He’s a very exciting player for this match, and he’s also the future of English rugby.”

The boost that May will have given Arundell cannot be underestimated, especially coming from a wing who knows how hard he had to graft to make it in the Test arena.

England Training Session - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Stade Georges-Carcassonne - Friday 13th October
Henry Arundell has a big opportunity to impress in Paris
PA

“I really have worked my socks off, and the people who know me know the sacrifices I’ve made to be the best player I can be,” said May.

“I’ve been telling guys like Henry and Marcus Smith just how good they can be while we’ve been out in France. It’s fantastic to see them take it on.”

May, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes led out England for their captain’s run training session at the Stade de France yesterday.

Nothing could signify the upcoming changing of the guard more than that small honour among a hugely tight-knit playing squad.

Now Arundell, Smith and the young guns have got to go for it — for third place in France and to build a brave new England world.

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