Ealing Trailfinders have announced the signing of Billy Twelvetrees ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The fly-half/ centre will depart Gloucester at the end of the season after making over 270 appearances for the Cherry & Whites over an 11-year period.
Twelvetrees arrived in the West Country in 2012 on the back of winning the Premiership with Leicester Tigers and hit the ground running, as he earned himself an England call-up ahead of the 2013 Six Nations.
He made the dream debut, as he scored against Scotland as England won the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham. His impressive display during the Championship saw him go on tour to Argentina in that summer, where he made one appearance before being drafted into Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions squad in Australia.
Quickly becoming a fan favourite at Kingsholm, Twelvetrees was named Gloucester Rugby’s Club Captain ahead of the 2014-15 season, leading the side to a second European Challenge Cup title at the end of that year.
Last year he notched up his 250th appearance for the club and this season he has currently played in a further 16 games, including a memorable performance in La Rochelle as he pulled the strings from fly-half as Gloucester almost knocked out the reigning champions had it not been for a late try from the hosts.
On joining the club, Billy Twelvetrees said: “When the opportunity to join an ambitious club like Ealing Trailfinders came up, it was one I was really excited to take.
“I’m still loving playing rugby and being around that team environment and so I’m hungry to help get the club into the highest league possible and I can’t wait to get stuck in with the boys in preseason.”
Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “To have a player of Billy’s quality and experience coming to TFSC next season is really exciting.
“He is a quality operator who can play at 10, 12 or 13 and his passion for the game and to keep playing and keep performing means we have no doubt he’ll be a great addition to the club.”
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#1. Tom Varndell
Oxford Harlequins welcomed the former premiership record try scorer who will take on a dual role combining his rugby management career with his exceptional rugby talent.
Varndell has agreed to assume the position of Head of Rugby at Oxford Brookes University, which has close links to Oxford Harlequins.
In addition to his management role, he will also become the Head of Community at the club, while still playing for the team.
Marcus Boswell, the student sport manager at Oxford Brookes had the following to say about their star capture;
“To secure someone of Tom’s calibre, as a coach and a mentor, is of great excitement for both our current and prospective students who are looking to play rugby union,
“It goes without saying that the relationship between Oxford Brookes and Oxford Quins continues to go from strength to strength, and this announcement is another indication of that.
“We will continue to work hard in all areas of our sporting delivery and wider area of activity together, and reap the successes both on and off the pitch for our student athletes.”
