Skivington: Jonny will be back for England
George Skivington is confident Jonny May has not played his last match for England after he was omitted from the Six Nations squad.
The 32-year-old Gloucester wing was one of the high profile players left out of Steve Borthwick's first squad since replacing Eddie Jones as head coach.
“Jonny is level headed and I have had a good chat with him,” said Skivington, Gloucester's head coach. “There are a number of wingers who are in good form in the Premiership and he knows what he has to do having been given his feedback.
“Steve has chosen what he feels is right for now but Jonny has been around for long enough to know that things ebb and flow and changes can happen quickly.
“There is a Six Nations to get through and a World Cup at the end of he year. Jonny has still got it and we have to make sure that he thrives with us.”
Skivington has been in charge of Gloucester for 30 months but said he had had little chance to work with May, who has scored 35 tries in 72 Tests for England during that time.
“He has been involved with England and had some injuries and I reckon he has played less than 15 games for us in that time,” said Skivington. “It will be good to get the chance to work with him for a bit and I think he is enjoying being in the environment.
“He has had a bit of bad luck in recent times, even going away with England and picking up Covid. It has been one thing after another but he will get his head down and work hard.”
Hooker George Mc-Guigan, a recent recruit from Newcastle, was the only Gloucester player chosen in the 36-strong squad.
“I am sure that a few were not far away,” said Skivington. “Val Rapava-Ruskin has had a very good season and I think he is the best loose-head prop in the Premiership. I think it was a decision taken for this Six Nations and it only takes one bang
“I have not had a good chat about it with Steve so I am only putting my opinion, but I think Ruan Ackermann cannot be far away given the consistency of what he delivers. I would not be surprised to see him becoming involved at some point this year.”
The flip slide for Skivington is that he will have more players available than he did in the autumn when in some matches he was without his first choice outside backs.
