Come what May

“I’M not sure Jonny will get back in the side if we continue this run of form” said Falcons’ Rugby Director Steve Bates.

Jokes in and around Kingston Park referring to the likelihood of Wilkinson’s return to the ever improving Falcons side have produced a wry smile on the face of one Tom May, who, although is well aware he’s temporarily filling the boots of Newcastle’s face of English rugby, will also enjoy being in the lime-light for once – even if he won’t admit it.

A pretty good track record in front of goal and a resilient body in defence, have Newcastle found the position Tom May can finally settle in to?

February’s Guinness Premiership player of the month has been playing out of position for the best part of a season now, but will surely be relishing deep down every opportunity he gets to put another three points on the Falcons’ scoreboard, pushing the side one game at a time closer to a mid-table finish come what May.

Courier Sport caught up with the versatile play-maker to discuss life behind the scenes at the Falcons and also the time he spent studying at Newcastle University.

“Life at Newcastle Uni’ was pretty good actually, especially in first year” May explained. “I stayed in Havelock Hall in Castle Leazes, but didn’t get to go out and socialise as much as I would have liked.

“I had a great time living in a house of five in Jesmond, where we used to have all the lads from Falcons back and have big parties.

“I studied Business and Management at Newcastle, but afterwards when I finished uni’ I had a year off just to play rugby, and then went to Northumbria to do a post-grad certificate in Sports-Management. That was a part-time course though so it didn’t really feel like I was at the uni’ at all.

“I took the course purely because of my interest in sports really, with possibly the view of doing something with it when I finish playing” May continued.

“I have always had the belief you need something to fall back on. If you get a career in rugby then great, but young players especially need to understand that an education is also important.”

A philosopher at heart, May shows another side to the man most only see on the weekend.

Although the player may be frustrated at not knowing what position he will be starting in week-on-week, May makes up for this in persistence, professionalism, and above all, preparation.

“If I had the choice I would prefer to play at 12. Tane Tu’ipulotu and Jamie Noon are both playing well, so I’ll just have to make the most of playing each week, in whatever position that might be.

“I like to stick to a routine in the week building up to game day, and try to hit my goals I want to achieve in that week. I want to achieve a certain amount of passes, kicks, tackles in the week, whether I am playing fly-half, centre, full-back or wing.

“It’s not ideal getting moved around, but it’s a question of playing well and enjoying myself. That’s what I aim for every time I pull on the shirt.

“I don’t get too hyped up about a game. I try to relax. I actually play worse when I think about it too much.

“There are a few that spend most of the day before getting right up for it” May said. “I believe preparation in the week running up to a game is just as important as the game itself.

“If you get too over enthusiastic or too intense you will worry over little mistakes, so I focus on my physical and mental well-being before a game massively. If I get those right in the week I should be fine by the weekend.”

Away from the rugby spot-light, May has taken a huge interest in raising money for charity.

The end of last May, he began his week long cycle visiting every single Guinness Premiership ground in the country, including Twickenham.

After a visit to the teenage cancer ward in the RVI Newcastle, May was motivated to help a cause any way possible, and made his desire a reality in a cycle that lasted 550 miles.

“I cycled for ‘Cash for Kids’,” May explained. “It was very tough. I must have been a little naive to think I could just jump on a bike and do it. By the end I was pretty tired.

“I did four practice runs just up and around the airport. The furthest I think I went was only 36 miles. On day one of the cycle, I had to do 105!

“It was a brilliant life experience, something I am very proud of and something I can look back on.

“I managed to raise just over £42,000 which I am very pleased with. You learn a lot about yourself on a bike, and since I play rugby professionally I thought I would be able to open a few doors for people in doing so. It was fantastic.”

A week away in Barbados in the mid-season break has brought the best out May.

Fresh-faced and tanned after the trip with his wife to Lee Mears’ hideaway, it seems he has brought back some of his holiday sun to the North-East, which has evidently shown in a renewed spirit around Kingston Park.

One game at a time is the diagnosis however, even though things are finally looking up for the side who haven’t been setting the world alight until just recently. May understands the team need to keep their feet firmly on the ground.

“Sorry for the massive cliché, but what this team needs to do is take one game at a time and then go from there. After stringing a few wins together we suddenly find ourselves in a completely different place, and we need to keep this intensity going.”

The adopted Geordie has spent a great deal of his playing career here in the North-East, moving up from his team at home in Richmond as a teenager.

A Tom May testimonial has been rumoured to involve both Newcastle and Northumbria University teams, a sentimental occasion that would involve May turning out for both sides on the night.

After the great competition shown in the Stan Calvert trophy recently, May has said he would be delighted to see the game take place.

“If that was to be the case it would be fantastic to see the two universities come together and play” May said. “I’ve been to a couple and they’ve always been great games.

“I actually played for Newcastle but never for Northumbria when I was at uni’, so I’ll be rooting for Newcastle I suppose.

"I always remember playing against the likes of Jamie Noon and some of the other lads at Bullocksteads. It was always tough but a good craic nonetheless.”