Tom May could not cap the week he announced his retirement plans with an illusive first London Welsh victory of the season at his former club Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.

The 36-year-old former England international will quit the game at the end of the season, calling time on a 13-year career that started at Kingston Park and featured spells with Toulon and Northampton Saints.

May, who started in the weekend’s 38-7 defeat in the north east, lifted the Tetley Bitter Cup – scoring twice in a 31-27 final win over Harlequins – and the Powergen Cup with the Falcons.

And he ranks winning promotion with Welsh last season up there with his career highlights.

“People say ‘you’re a long time retired’ and you are, but if you’re waking up in the morning and you’re struggling then you know that’s the time to retire,” he said last week.

“Most people would point to international caps as being the highlight of a player’s career and indeed they were.

“But winning something with your mates, who you work with day in, day out, is something truly special and I’ve managed to do that three times. Those moments are ultimately what you do it all for.”

Welsh travel to Bordeaux-Begles in the European Challenge Cup tonight.