JONNY May believes England can “do something special” at the World Cup as they prepare to get their quest for global glory under way this weekend.

Eddie Jones’ side play the first of their four pool matches in Japan against Tonga on Sunday.

Two teams qualify from each of the four five-team groups for the quarter-finals, so a strong start against the Pacific islanders in Sapporo is paramount.

England won three of their four warm-up matches ahead of the tournament, including a dominant victory over new world-number-one-ranked side Ireland, and Chiseldon’s May says the squad is in a good place ahead of their competition curtain-raiser.

Former Royal Wootton Bassett youngster May has been in outstanding form for England in recent years and has scored 24 tries in 47 games since his debut in 2013.

The Leicester Tigers winger says there are attacking threats flowing right through the Red Rose camp and has backed Jones’ side to hit their peak at the World Cup.

"I look around the room at the team-mates and the talent we have and, for me, the belief is genuine that we can beat anybody if we are at our best. I genuinely believe we will peak at this World Cup,” said 29-year-old May.

"I don't want to come across as arrogant because I am not but I generally just can't talk up my team-mates enough.

"We have got players who can take the ball to the line and make decisions, we have got players who can run over people, we have got speed, we have got left-foot options.

"Do other teams have great players? Of course they do. It will come down to who produces it on the day, who is ready for it and mentally who can handle it.

"I believe this team is ready. There are genuine reasons to believe that we can do something very special."

Following the Tonga match, England’s next pool game is against the USA in Kobe on Thursday.

Jones’ side then conclude their pool programme with their two toughest fixtures. They face Argentina in Tokyo on Saturday, October 5 before a match against France in Yokohama seven days later.