STATEMENT: Jonny May confirms Gloucester departure, reveals where he will be next season - Ruck

STATEMENT: Jonny May confirms Gloucester departure, reveals where he will be next season

Winger Jonny May has officially announced his departure from Gloucester Rugby as his contract at Kingsholm expires this summer.

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The 34-year-old will bid farewell to his second stint with the Cherry and Whites, having previously played for them before a three-year tenure at Leicester Tigers from 2017 to 2020.

Following England’s Rugby World Cup campaign, where they secured third place, May retired from international duty.

Speaking on the podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, May said: “My update for next season is that I am unlikely to be at Gloucester. That is just one of those things.

“But I am fully committed to giving everything I have got for these remaining games and it is amazing to be in this European [Challenge Cup] competition and hopefully, I get to play in the semi-final [against Benetton] in a week’s time.”

Despite being strongly linked with a move to Saracens, May has revealed he will likely be heading overseas.

“I’d imagine it will be overseas just because I wouldn’t really want to go to another Premiership club I don’t think. I sound ancient now.

“I think I’ve done 15 seasons in the Premiership and my intention after the World Cup was to stay at Gloucester and do one more season at Gloucester and I really wanted to do that, and that hasn’t worked out and that’s nobody’s fault.

“Gloucester’s been a great club for me, amazing club, it’s my home and I really did want to stay. It hasn’t quite worked out but that doesn’t change I feel towards the end of the season. With my little baby, maybe I will play abroad for a season or two.

“There is nothing concrete for me, hopefully something comes up but I’m fully focused on the Gloucester stuff until the end of the season.”

Highest-paid rugby players in the world:

The recent disclosure of the earnings of some of rugby’s most prominent figures illuminates the lucrative landscape at the pinnacle of the sport.

As reported by Wales Online, let’s delve deeper into the earnings of today’s highest-paid rugby players.

Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – £800,000

Siya Kolisi, the inspirational Springbok captain, has enjoyed considerable success both on and off the field. His reported salary of £800,000 at Racing 92 reflects his value to the team and his standing as one of the sport’s most influential figures.

Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa celebrates after the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade De France, Paris on 29 October 2023 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

Maro Itoje (England) – £800,000

Maro Itoje, the towering English lock, has been the subject of considerable speculation regarding his future earnings. While his reported salary of £800,000 with Saracens is impressive, potential hybrid deals with the RFU could see his income increase even further, highlighting his importance to both club and country.

Maro Itoje of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

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