After announcing his departure from Gloucester, the club where has spent 11 years, Billy Twelvetrees will be moving to Championship side Ealing Trailfinders for the start of the 2023/2024 season.
Speaking about his future side, Twelvetrees said: "I'm hungry to help get the club into the highest league possible,
"I'm still loving playing rugby and being around that team environment and I can't wait to get stuck in with the boys in pre-season."
With just one game left in the Championship campaign, Ealing are currently second in the table after recently losing to Jersey Reds 19-13, which pushed them down from the top spot. Despite this setback, the West London club is still determined to make it to the Premiership.
In February, Ealing received the news that they would not be eligible for promotion to the top tier this season, as they failed to meet the minimum standards criteria. The same happened last season when they were denied promotion from the second tier due to their home ground not meeting the required size.
Director of Rugby at Ealing, 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.”
Gloucester had previously released a statement which detailed the incredible impact the 34-year-old had at the west country side:
“Billy Twelvetrees is to depart Kingsholm at the end of the season. After over 270 appearances, the club stalwart will embark on a new challenge at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, bringing an end to his 11-year tenure at Kingsholm.
“The 34-year-old arrived at Gloucester from Leicester in 2012 and has been a key figure in the squad ever since. Twelvetrees earned a call-up to the England squad for the 2013 Six Nations, making his debut against Scotland at Twickenham.
“The centre toured with England once more with a summer visit to Argentina in 2013, making one appearance before being drafted into Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad in Australia.
“Quickly becoming a fan favourite at Kingsholm, Twelvetrees was named Gloucester captain ahead of the 2014/15 season, leading the side to a second European Challenge Cup title at the end of that year.
“Last season, Billy marked an incredible 10 years of service to the club during his testimonial year, a season in which he also notched up his 250th appearance. This season, he has made 16 appearances, including memorable performances against Bordeaux and La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup.”
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