Leicester centre Billy Twelvetrees is to join Gloucester after turning down the offer of a new deal at Welford Road.
Gloucester move in for Leicester centre
Leicester centre Billy Twelvetrees is to join Gloucester after turning down the offer of a new deal at Welford Road.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill revealed on Saturday that the 23-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, had been lured to East Country outfit by promises of a better deal.
"On Monday he told me he was staying, said Cockerill of the player, who was recently selected in the England Saxons squad.
"On Wednesday I was told by his agent that he was signing for Gloucester, who have assured him of being first choice number 12 for them and his salary has been much improved.
"I did not want to lose him and he will be fully involved until the end of the season."
Cockerill said he was disappointed that Twelvetrees, who has started in 12 of his 13 appearances this season, would not stay at Welford Road and fight for his midfield place with Anthony Allen and Manu Tuilagi.
"Billy has played for us in every game he has been available apart from two this season," Cockerill told the
Leicester Mercury.
World-class
"We have put three years of development into Billy and he was coming on nicely in our environment. If he does not want to stay and fight for his spot, that is disappointing.
"Scrum-half Micky Young joined us last summer and knew he would have to fight for his spot with Ben Youngs.
"Ed Slater would cut off his arms to play for us on a regular basis, but he battles for a spot with Louis Deacon, Geoff Parling and George Skivington."
"That is the way it has been for more than 100 years and that is the way it is going to stay. There are world-class players holding tackle bags in training every week."
With fly-half Jeremy Staunton also tipped to move on and the likely departure of Twelvetrees, who can also play at number 10, the Tigers may need to recruit cover at outside-half and centre.
"We are in the process of bringing new players in," added Cockerill. "And there is a lot of quality out there that we are looking at."
