Billy Twelvetrees: England centre signs Gloucester deal

England centre Billy Twelvetrees has committed to a new two-year contract with Gloucester.

The 24-year-old arrived at Kingsholm from Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers in 2012.

Twelvetrees has five international caps and was called up to the British and Irish Lions squad for their victorious tour of Australia this summer.

"I'm happy playing here and it's a great feeling to put on the Cherry and Whites shirt," he told BBC Points West.

"To do it with your friends, and the sort of players we have here, is terrific.

"It was an easy decision for me and I just wanted to get it sorted."

Twelvetrees came through Leicester's academy system and broke into the first team in 2009.

Now in his second season at Gloucester, the inside centre has made a total of 53 Premiership appearances, scoring 225 points.

He was called up to Stuart Lancaster's Six Nations squad this year and earned his first full international cap in the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham, in which he scored a try.

And, after impressing on the tour of Argentina, the number 12 went on to join the Lions squad as injury cover.

Twelvetrees has been made vice-captain at Gloucester for this season and last week landed an injury-time penalty to earn his side their first win of the Premiership campaign against Northampton.