QBE Internationals: Billy Twelvetrees excited by chance to take on Australia

Billy Twelvetrees is thrilled to be back in the England side for Saturday's QBE International clash with Australia.

The Gloucester centre takes the No 12 shirt from Owen Farrell for the final game of the autumn at Twickenham and he hopes to forge a successful relationship with fly-half George Ford, who keeps his place after impressing in the win over Samoa last weekend.

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"I'm absolutely delighted to be involved," Twelvetrees told Sky Sports News HQ. "Playing Australia at the weekend is a huge honour for me and to be starting at 12 is massive. I can't wait to get out there now.

"I just had to go back to my club and play as well as I can, enjoy my rugby and be as confident as I can in my own rugby.

"I had to get the boys running, attacking well and defending well - that's one of the main roles as a centre. You must have eyes for the 10 and for the back line as well, so it was just about getting that confidence, executing things and being a good decision maker.

"We've been looking at ourselves hard, and the opposition to see what we can do to nullify teams. The last three weeks have been difficult, conditions have been very tough and wet, and it's difficult to play a high tempo game.

"We've got to be a bit smarter, build pressure in different ways, whether it's kicking or with ball in hand. We've been working hard to get that right and we can't wait to get out there and play."

Professional

Twelvetrees revealed he spoke with Farrell soon after the team was confirmed but he never expected there to be any acrimony from a player he has worked alongside for years.

Playing Australia at the weekend is a huge honour for me and to be starting at 12 is massive. I can't wait to get out there now.

"No-one wants that conversation, but we're all professional athletes. I know Owen very well, we're good friends and it's absolutely fine," he added.

"We're professionals and it was no different the week before when he was playing at 12. We're all trying to help one another out, we're England and we want everyone to be the best they can, whatever position they play. It's about the team, not one individual. It's about us turning up on Saturday, playing as well as we can and beating Australia."

Ford has a chance to cement his place in the No 10 shirt ahead of the Six Nations and Twelvetrees believes he has the quality to do it, which would leave Stuart Lancaster with a headache as fly-half is Farrell's preferred position as well.

He said: "I was very impressed with George. He's been doing that for years and he is a quality player - he's definitely an old man on young shoulders!

"He runs the team very well, he's a loud voice and he bosses the boys around. That's what you want as a 10. He's very controlled and calm in his outlook on rugby as well which is great. I'll be his eyes and ears, give him good information and support him along the way - having that relationship is good for the team."

Watch live coverage of the QBE International between England and Australia on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday from 1:30pm.