GLOUCESTER wing Jonny May insists he ‘slayed a demon’ by celebrating his England return with a try in Saturday's 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham.

May was dropped for Jack Nowell midway through the RBS 6 Nations in another twist to his erratic international career, but is now all but guaranteed a place in Stuart Lancaster's World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old has been described by Lancaster as England's star performer throughout their training camp this summer and he delivered on the pitch against France, scoring one try and helping create a second for Anthony Watson.

"I slayed a demon. There hasn't been a day gone by when I haven't thought back to what happened in the Six Nations and being dropped. That has really motivated me," May said.

"I've been working my backside off to get another opportunity so I could go out there and put it right. I have given it everything.

"I was pretty down for the best part of a month after I was dropped during the Six Nations. But I could not feel sorry for myself because I was desperate to get back in.

"Experiences like that can break you or they can make you stronger and I definitely played some of my best rugby for Gloucester off the back of being dropped in the Six Nations.

"I was happy about how it went against France. It was nice to put a wrong right, I feel I've done that and can close that chapter."