“Leicester Tigers exit paying off for me,” says Billy Twelvetrees

Leaving Leicester can be considered to be either brave or stupid but, after starting Gloucester‘s first four games this season, Billy Twelvetrees believes his decision has been vindicated.
Eyebrows were raised when centre Twelvetrees revealed his intentions, a move that left Tigers boss Richard Cockerill unimpressed: “Billy’s chosen to move on. That’s his choice, it’s disappointing but that’s life.”
But Twelvetrees, 23, told The Rugby Paper: “I wanted to play regular Premiership rugby and Gloucester gave me that opportunity. So did Leicester but it was a choice of one over the other and I fancied a change coming here.
“Gloucester have got such a young team and a group of young backs I knew well, so I really fancied playing alongside them. We’ve still got a lot to learn but we’re a very enthusiastic group.
“It’s business at the end of the day. Cockers wasn’t too happy but it happens in rugby all the time. Players come and go and all you can do is think about the future.
“Leicester’s a great club and it was an honour to play for them, but with such great players around you the competition was stiff and I wanted to test myself in a different environment.
“I’d got to the stage in my career where I wanted to be playing week-in, week-out in the Premiership. It didn’t happen at Leicester but, hopefully, it’ll happen at Gloucester and so far it’s been going really well.
“I like to be influencing games and, so far, I feel I’ve been doing that. It’s terrific that Gloucester have given me this opportunity.”
A big season lies ahead for Chichester-born Twelvetrees, who is on England‘s radar. But faces a huge battle getting into the senior squad as head coach Stuart Lancaster whittles down his options ahead of 2015.
Lancaster’s stated intention is to have his World Cup squad largely in place two years out, which leaves Twelvetrees less than a season to move up the national pecking order.
Twelvetrees, however, does not lack fortitude – he was released from Leicester’s academy in 2008 but having rebuilt his career with Championship side Bedford earned a second Tigers chance.
He said: “I’ve always taken my rugby one game at a time and I’ve always been quietly confident in my own ability, but you’re never going to find out how good you are until you’re playing games.
“I always wanted to play rugby but when I was released by Leicester in the first place I had to reassess. That involved looking at alternative careers, like osteopathy and accountancy, so I had something to fall back on.
“But, fingers crossed, things are working out and I owe a lot to Bedford and director of rugby Mike Rayer. He backed me by offering me a trial and then giving me a contract after I’d been training for just a few weeks.
“I ended up playing 31 games and Mikey was always very positive. I had a few shockers, but he backed me and that was a great learning curve because it’s a tough, physical league. It put me in good stead and gave me confidence.
“I just enjoy the game and if you actually want to play the game you can excel in yourself and prove people wrong. It’s been head down and get on with it over the summer and what will come (with Gloucester and England) will come.”
These are early days for Twelvetrees under an amended Cherry & Whites coaching regime headed by Nigel Davies, but the new darling of The Shed says what he has seen of Gloucester so far has certainly lived up to the billing.
“It’s exactly how I imagined it would be; you get recognised in places and it’s very much a rugby town,” Twelvetrees added.
“Part of the reason I came to this club is because it’s got great supporters and Kingsholm is a great place to play. Leicester’s quite culturally diverse and while Gloucester is smaller, it’s very focused on its rugby and it’s great to have that support.
“To have The Shed on your side is something very special and you feel that extra oomph behind you.
“That’s why you play rugby, to play in front of crowds like that. I’m loving it.”
NEALE HARVEY