Portugal Colonial - Ex-England winger May joins French side Soyaux-Angouleme

May, 34, played the last of his 78 Tests during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and left Gloucester at the end of the season.

He is England's second-highest try-scorer on 36 efforts, behind Rory Underwood on 49 and also trails only Underwood as his country's most-capped winger.

"I don't think I've ever been more excited about signing a contract than this time," May said in a club statement.

"I'm 110 percent committed to giving my best rugby to this team.

"More than that I really want to buy into the culture of the town and the club, make friends and memories, and make Angouleme a special place for me and my family," he added.

Next season, May will face fellow former England international in back-rower Courtney Lawes, who has signed for ambitious ProD2 side Brive from Northampton.

The pair highlight the financial problems of English rugby with other ex-internationals like Owen Farrell, Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam having also agreed to join clubs in France.

The three will join outfits in the first-division Top 14, the most lucrative league in world rugby.

Soyaux-Angouleme, located in western France between Bordeaux and La Rochelle, were promoted back to the second tier for 2022/2023 having previously spent five seasons in ProD2 until 2020/2021.

X.Matos--PC