"Premiership ambition" - Ealing sign four players, including England international

The Australian, who quickly became a fan favourite at TFSC, will return to West-London having made 37 appearances in green and white between 2018 and 2020.

Reid, who left the Trailfinders to join Gloucester, hit the ground running with the Cherry & Whites as he made an instant impact during the latter end of the 2019-20 season after COVID-19 delayed the Gallagher Premiership finale that year.

He since went on to make over 50 appearances for the West-Country outfit, becoming hugely popular among the Kingsholm faithful.

On his return to Ealing, Reid said: “I’m really excited to be re-joining Trailfinders ahead of next season.

“I have such great memories from my first stint and I’ve always remained fond of the club and the supporters, so I can’t wait to get back involved!”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring Jordy back to the club after such a successful three years in the Premiership with Gloucester.

“He was such a popular figure within the squad and among the fans when he was with us the first time round, and he’s only improved since then, so we’re looking forward to be welcoming him back to TFSC in June.”

The only change that fans can expect from Reid from his first time at the club is that he now without his signature dreadlocks! Despite not cutting his hair for 13 years, Reid shaved his head following Gloucester’s final league home game, raising over £13,000 in the process for MMD charity 4Ed, in support of his former teammate Ed Slater who is battling the condition.

The 26-year-old will link up with the Trailfinders squad immediately, as they look to retain their Championship crown. 

Middlesbrough born, Boyce followed a very similar path as former teammate and England international Danny Care. Both initially played for their hometown clubs, before then attending Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley and playing for the then Yorkshire Carnegie Academy.

He made his debut for the Headingly outfit against Rotherham in 2014 and remained in Yorkshire for a further three years, featuring in the 2017 Championship play-off final.

In 2016, Boyce was part of the England U20 side that won the Junior World Cup in Manchester. He played alongside the likes of Jack Willis, Will Stuart, Max Malins and Joe Marchant as they beat Ireland in the final 45-21.

In 2017, his performances in the second tier led to a switch to Harlequins for whom he debuted in the Premiership in 2017, making nine appearances in his maiden season.

After only six months at Quins, his fine form for the Londoners saw him named in the wider England squad ahead of the 2018 Six Nations. Although he didn’t earn an international cap, his impact as a strong scrummager with a physical presence in both attack and defence caught the eye of Bath.

Boyce signed for the West Country outfit in the summer of 2019 and has made 53 appearances since. He has proven himself as a dominant force in the set-piece as well as menace in the loose.

When speaking on the signing, Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: ““He’s is such an exciting player both in the set-piece and around the park and we’re all looking forward to seeing what he can do in a Trailfinders shirt.”

Ahead of his move, Lewis Boyce said: “I’m excited to move to West London and make a strong impact. Ealing Trailfinders have been in powerful form this season and I’m excited to get stuck in straight away and help the squad achieve their goals this season."

The former Wasps prop, who currently plays for Racing 92, is leaving France to return to English rugby with RFU Championship club, who are currently placed second in the league.

At 6’2 and 140kg, Alo is an impressive front-row player who has over 50 career Premiership appearances. He first joined Wasps in 2018/19 as injury cover from Coventry Rugby, where he had previously played before the team collapsed.

Alo made a good impression during his short time with Wasps and earned a permanent deal from the summer of 2019. He was once the heaviest player in the Gallagher Premiership, weighing in at 143kg. Alo started his rugby career with Saracens Academy and played for the first-team in 2015, before moving to Worcester Warriors, where he made 30 appearances and scored four tries.

He has also represented England at U18 and U20 levels. Alo is a Loughborough University graduate and has made a name for himself in the music world with a promising career in rapping.

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.”