CHISELDON’S Jonny May will lead the charge for Wiltshire when England go for Rugby World Cup glory in Japan today.

Former Ridgeway School pupil May has been named on the wing by head coach Eddie Jones for the final against South Africa at Yokohama Stadium this morning.

May, who played his youth rugby at Royal Wootton Basset RFC, has been a key figure for England throughout the tournament.

He was named in the starting XV for last weekend’s astonishing 19-7 semi-final victory over defending champions New Zealand.

A week before that, May scored two tries as England beat Australia 40-16 in the last eight.

May, who plays his club rugby for Leicester Tigers in the Premiership, had been an injury concern ahead of the final due to a dead leg sustained in the semi success over the All Blacks.

The 29-year-old had actually been touch and go ahead of that match too because of a hamstring issue and, having recovered, lasted 45 minutes before suffering an additional injury setback.

However, head coach Jones has delivered a major boost to England’s hopes of winning a second World Cup by declaring May fit and naming him in the team on Thursday.

“We had a walk through on Monday morning and we had to tell Jonny to slow down a bit,” said Jones.

“He’s probably in better condition than he was last week at this stage. Immeasurably better.”

May’s wife, Sophie, comes from a farming family in Patney, near Devizes, where the couple got married last year.

She is a former pupil at St John’s School in Marlborough and is currently out in Japan cheering him and the rest of the team on.

May is not the only player with a Wiltshire connection hoping to seal World Cup glory.

Brothers Mako and Billy Vunipola have also been named in England’s starting XV – with the duo the nephews of Marlborough RFC head coach Elisi Vunipola.

Should May help his team to victory, he will be the second Swindon sportsman to have claimed World Cup glory with England in 2019.

Liam Dawson, who was born in the town, was a member of the England squad that won the Cricket World Cup earlier this summer.