Gloucester centre Billy Twelvetrees to join Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders have announced the signing of former England centre Billy Twelvetrees at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Twelvetrees spent most of his club career with Gloucester after joining them in 2012. He has racked up 271 appearances for the Cherry and Whites across 11 years and was appointed the club captain ahead of the 2014/15 season at the end of which they went on to win their second European Challenge Cup title.

“When the opportunity to join an ambitious club like Ealing Trailfinders came up, it was one I was really excited to take," he told the club's official website.

“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.”

Ealing Trailfinders were deemed ineligible to gain promotion to the Premiership due to the size of their home stadium but Director of Rugby Ben Ward believes signing a player of Twelvetrees' calibre will be a big boost to the club.

“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.”