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Tom May wins first full cap
09 Jun 2009
Tom May has become the third former Sevenoaks RFC player to achieve the ultimate accolade of a full international cap for his country. On Saturday June 6th, Tom made his full international debut for England against Argentina at old Trafford, Manchester, featuring prominently in the home side's 37-15 defeat of the highly-rated Pumas.
30-year-old May joined Sevenoaks at the age of 16 and fondly remembers turning out for the club's Colts XV in the county final against Tunbridge Wells. "It gave me the opportunity to play with guys who were bigger and older than me which helped me learn quicker," he recalls.
Tom went on to play for England at U19 level, where he was spotted by, and signed for, Newcastle Falcons, for whom he has played his entire professional career thus far. Caps for the England U21, Sevens and ‘A' teams followed and, with his full international debut, Tom joins David Flatman (Sevenoaks, Bath and England) and Andy Titterrell (Sevenoaks, Gloucester, England and the British and Irish Lions) into the Sevenoaks RFC hall of fame.
Next season, Tom will be joining his long-time Newcastle club mate Jonny Wilkinson at Toulon, as the pair head off for a fresh challenge in French club rugby. Both will be hoping that their form and fitness will be enough to attract the attention of England coach Martin Johnson.
Meanwhile, Will Grist, captain of the Sevenoaks U15 side, and who trains with the Saracens Elite Player Development Group, has been selected for the England U15 development camp in Leeds, this August.
Club Chairman Lee Adamson said, "Sevenoaks is very proud of its amazing record as a stepping for local players into top-flight rugby and international honours. We're delighted that Tom has reached the pinnacle with a full cap and also for Will, at putting the first foot on the international ladder. Congratulations to both of them."