Ealing sign former England centre Billy Twelvetrees

Ealing Trailfinders have secured the services of former England international centre Billy Twelvetrees from Gloucester.

It’s the latest impressive signing by the Championship club, who have previously signed the likes of Wales international Jonah Holmes, Bath’s Lewis Boyce and Saracens wing Nathan Earle.

The 34-year-old, who has 22 caps for his country, joins the club after 11 years spent at Gloucester, who confirmed his exit last week.

Twelvetrees arrived at the Cherry and Whites from Leicester Tigers in 2012 and has been a key figure in the squad ever since.

Soon after joining the club, Twelvetrees earned a call-up to the England squad for the 2013 Six Nations, making his debut against Scotland at Twickenham. He toured with England once more with a summer visit to Argentina in 2013, making one appearance before being drafted into Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions squad in Australia.

He went on to make 270 appearances for the side.

“When the opportunity to join an ambitious club like Ealing Trailfinders came up, it was one I was really excited to take,” said Twelvetrees. “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.”