SWINDON’S Jonny May has said that preparing for this weekend’s clash against Bath is like getting ready for a test match.

The intensity in training has been high as Bath head to Kingsholm tomorrow evening and May is hoping that he can prove the difference, in what is notoriously a close game.

The former Ridgeway School pupil will be hoping for a better end to the game than the last time the two sides met when the contest ended in a mass brawl and Gloucester down to 11 players.

May says that he is prepared for the match which could define Cherry and Whites’ season.

“It is an absolutely massive game and this is a game that is going to judge where we are in terms of if we are going to push the top half of the table and where we are as a team,” he said.

“We need a performance and it really does feel like we are preparing for a test match this week because the stakes are so high.

“I will prepare the same way as I do every week. I work hard in the week and I’ll reflect on what I do and try and learn how to be better.

“Then by the time the weekend comes just hopefully go out there with a clean head, be positive and hope that my instincts serve me well and I can go out there and play my best.”

Having spent an autumn training with Bath fly-half George Ford in the England set-up, May is fully aware of the threats that the Mike Ford’s side have.

“They have threats all round. They are a very good team and have a good pack,” he added.

“George Ford, who I played with over the last few months, is a great player and they have great backs outside him.

“They are sharp act, you look at their plays and the way they work as a team, we’ve got to try and neutralise that by putting pressure on them and taking them on.

“We have got to try and play on our terms and when we have the ball take it to them and in defence try not to let them have their way.

“It is just the performance, we have got to go out there and give it our best and when it is all over we’ll see where we are as a team.”