The XV de la Rose winger signed for two years at Soyaux-Angoulême. Zach Mercer, the president’s companion… Here is behind the scenes of this transfer.
It’s an improbable marriage that few people could have imagined. That of a world-class player and a second division club, 12th in Pro D2 this season. English star Jonny May (78 caps) has signed for two seasons with Soyaux-Angoulême. A transfer, the first contacts of which began in mid-May, which made the eyes of many rugby fans widen. But then how can the second highest scorer in England’s history (36 tries) join a club that has been holding on for several seasons? “It’s quite simple, Jonny May wanted to come to France and he really fell in love with it, says the club president Didier Pitcho, obviously proud and happy with such a masterstroke. As strange as it may seem, it was my companion who mainly worked in this coming.”
An English teacher based in Paris, Séverine had a feeling and convinced the May family to join Charente after several calls and exchanges of messages. Life, the city and the proximity of large metropolises and England: the May couple was hooked by the convincing professor’s speech. Their arrival is expected by the end of June. The English star should even be wearing the purple socks of the SA XV with the British Barbarians against Fiji by then, on June 22!
“Call Zach and I’ll call him later.”
After that, more in-depth discussions took place with members of the sports team. Among them, Alexandre Ruiz, manager of SAXV. The former referee tells how Zach Mercer, English international number 8, had his role to play in these discussions. “Zach and I met in Montpellier when I was coaching the MHR defence and the two know each other from Gloucester. I said to Jonny: “call Zach to tell you about me and I’ll call him afterwards to do the same. In an hour we’ll call back and see.” The feeling was good and that’s how it happened.” Presentation of the game project, the infrastructure, the expectations for him and that’s how one of the most decisive English players in history will take his first steps in Pro D2 next season. Coveted by various French teams, the British star has finally signed a contract that is far from being amazing. “It may be hard to believe, but it’s in the range of an average Pro D2 salary (around 6,000 euros per month, Editor’s note)” specifies a person close to the club. There is no doubt that Angoumois supporters are already looking forward to his debut!
