Tom May signs for Northampton Saints

(GETTY IMAGES)

England international Tom May has agreed to join Northampton Saints for the 2011/2012 season.

May, 31, has plied his trade in Toulon for the past two seasons but has failed to hold down a regular starting spot in the side and Gavin Henson’s recent arrival on the Mediterranean coast has re-affirmed that perhaps May’s future lay elsewhere.

May will bring experience to a Northampton backline following the recent announcement that Scottish international Joe Ansbro will join London Irish for next season.

May, who made his professional debut against Northampton in 1999, is delighted by the prospect of lining up at Franklin’s Gardens.

“The experience that my wife and I have had in Toulon was fantastic, but we’ve been back to England a few times to see friends and family and the opportunity to join Northampton was too good to turn down really,” he said.

“I’ve been watching on the TV the games that Northampton have played in the Heineken Cup and spoken to Phil Dowson and Lee Dickson, and all the things that I’ve heard have been good.

“I think I’m coming back a better player. I’ve had to learn how the game differs and it’s provided me with a bit more experience as to how games can be played out. It’s quite a structured game here in France and there are times when you can bring that into the English game a bit more when it’s required in games.

“Northampton playing a running game is exciting for me, and it will be enjoyable to be a part of a club that likes to play rugby the right way.”

Elsewhere, England Saxon Adrian Jarvis has agreed to join Leeds Carnegie until the end of the current season.

Fly-Half Jarvis made his final appearance for Bristol against Birmingham Solihull in his former sides 26-16 win.

Jarvis said: “When the chance came up to sign for Leeds Carnegie it was an offer that I could not refuse.

“At 27, I could not really turn down the opportunity to play Premiership rugby again and I am very excited to be part of the group and hopefully I can do whatever the club need of me to help Leeds climb up the table."