The wave of elation brought about by a try in Rugby’s Greatest Championship is nigh-on unquantifiable.
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But in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, Jonny May became more acquainted with that rush than anyone else.
Heading into the Championship, the 28-year-old England star was already established as one of the most fearsome wings on the planet, with May having scored nine tries in his last 12 Test outings.
At the conclusion of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, his tally now stands at 15 in his last 17.
Topping the try-scoring charts with six scores – two more than France’s Yoann Huget – May proved to be one of Eddie Jones’ most devastating weapons throughout England’s campaign and undoubtedly a standout performer as far as the entirety of the Championship is concerned.
May got the ball rolling in England’s 32-20 victory over defending champions Ireland in Round One, bagging his country’s first try at the Aviva Stadium since 2011 as he dotted down with less than 90 seconds on the clock.
Then, in Round Two, May cut loose in show-stopping fashion as France were beaten 44-8 at Twickenham Stadium.
Setting himself on the way to a first-half hat-trick, May turned out the afterburners in spectacular style to chase down and convert Elliot Daly’s grubber kick with less than two minutes gone.
Then, he collected a lofted pass from Owen Farrell out on the left flank and jinked past Damian Penaud before crashing over the line.
And for his third, wing wizard May profited upon another grubber – this time, from Chris Ashton – to seal a treble before the break.
May was also on the scoresheet as England overcame Italy 57-14 in Round Four and again as his side played out a stunning 38-38 draw with Calcutta Cup rivals Scotland in Round Five, rounding off a remarkable Championship showing.
Key moment
Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn may have been the only other player to bag a hat-trick during the 2019 Guinness Six Nations – but he didn’t achieve that feat before the half-time whistle sounded.
May hardly needed to underline his quality so emphatically but chalking off a third try inside 29 minutes made for a truly memorable moment for the 28-year-old.
As soon as Morgan Parra had spilled Henry Slade’s up-and-under and Ashton lined up a grubber, May was on the move and, with acres to stride into unchallenged, the England ace was able to cap a memorable outing in stirring fashion.
