Former England player Twelvetrees retires

Former England player Billy Twelvetrees has retired at the age of 35, his club Ealing Trailfinders have said.

The versatile Gloucester legend played at centre and fly-half and earned 22 caps, his last coming in 2015.

He won the Championship with Trailfinders in his last season.

Twelvetrees began his career with Bedford Blues before joining Leicester Tigers in 2009, where he won the Premiership in his first season.

He moved to Gloucester in 2012 and made 273 appearances in an 11-year career with the Cherry and Whites.

He was named club captain at the start of the 2014-15 season and led the club to their second European Challenge Cup title.

Posting on X, Gloucester said: "A true Cherry & White legend calling it a day. Thanks for all the memories, Billy."

At Trailfinders he was part of the first team outside the top flight to reach a Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final, as well as winning the second-tier title.

"Although we only had Billy with us for a year, he made a big impact on our squad. His career speaks for itself and he can be incredibly proud of all that he has achieved," Ealing director of rugby Bill Ward told the club's website., external

"We will miss him as a player, but more than that he is one of the good guys and a really good bloke that we will miss even more.

"We wish him all the best for the future."