The Toulon-bound "universal back" won his first senior England call-up since 2002 after leading the Falcons to Guinness Premiership safety as a makeshift fly-half.

May will discover tomorrow whether he will feature in Saturday's non-cap international against the Barbarians, a prelude to the home and away Tests against Argentina.

May's last involvement with the senior England squad was also on a tour to Argentina, in 2002, when he played in the midweek A game but missed out on the chance of a debut cap.

Clive Woodward, then in charge and building his World Cup squad, did not deem May enough of a playmaking option at 12 or versatile enough for a place on the bench.

And May, now 30, had long since stopped worrying about chasing his England dream - until the call came from Martin Johnson.

"I was very surprised and it is nice to be back involved. It is just great to be here but every player wants to be involved in the Tests," said May.

"I won't lie about it. There have been a few times where I have wondered what I have to do (to get an England cap).

"The last time I was involved was on the last Argentina tour in 2002. I didn't get on the bench for the Test because Clive didn't think I could cover wing.

"When Clive was involved I played a fair few games for England A at inside centre and I tried to change the way I was playing to what England wanted.

"Back then I was more of a runner and would just run off Jonny Wilkinson or Dave Walder and punch through holes. Clive wanted me to play as a ball player.

"That affected the way I was playing and I dropped out of the England frame completely. I got stuck in the trap of concentrating on England before the bread and butter at the club."