England centre Billy Twelvetrees set to miss the first Test against New Zealand
Tuesday 3 June 2014 08:15, UK
England centre Billy Twelvetrees looks set to miss Saturday's first Test against New Zealand after missing training once again on Tuesday.
Live International Rugby Union
Twelvetrees has been nursing an ankle injury and failed to take part in the final practice session before head coach Stuart Lancaster names his team on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was injured during Gloucester’s 38-30 Aviva Premiership victory over London Irish on May 3 and his inability to train this week means he is set to be ruled out of the series opener against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.
Bath's Kyle Eastmond is likely to take Twelvetrees' place at inside centre, winning his third cap despite being short of match fitness himself.
Absence
The 24-year-old has not played since April 27 after falling out of favour at the Recreation Ground following the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final win against Wasps.
It means England will face the world champions with their fourth-choice inside centre and fly-half.
Freddie Burns is set to fill the number 10 jersey in the absence of Aviva Premiership finalists Owen Farrell and Stephen Myler and the injured George Ford.
Watch England take on New Zealand in the first Test live on Sky Sports 1 at 8am on Saturday.
