Stuart Lancaster’s options in the centres are dropping like flies but Billy Twelvetrees insists he is only getting stronger with the Six Nations around the corner.
The 25-year-old Gloucester man enjoyed an up and down set of autumn internationals, putting in the worst performance of his young England career against Australia but bouncing back to impress against Argentina and the All Blacks.
And with Manu Tuilagi, Joel Tomkins and Brad Barritt all currently stuck on the treatment table, the chance is there for the former Leicester Tiger to carry some momentum into the Six Nations.
Called up to the British & Irish Lions tour this summer as injury cover, it is sometimes hard to remember that Twelvetrees only has eight England caps to his name.
And the No.12 insists he is only going to improve as his international career progresses.
“I’m getting better and better every week,” said Twelvetrees, who pulled on the famous red jersey for the first time this summer when he played against the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels during the Lions victorious tour Down Under
“I’m a much more confident player than the one who made his debut against Scotland, and much more knowledgeable.
“It’s about applying that on the game because your perception changes week in, week out and all those experiences help me.
“There is a possibility there to cement a shirt. But there are a lot of other centres in the country that are going to be thinking the same thing.
“Obviously there are a lot injuries in the centres and that means that there is a chance for me to grab that place but it would be stupid of me to try and focus too far ahead.
“I was delighted to get my chance in the autumn and I played to the best of my ability and I hope that I get that chance again.”
Billy Twelvetrees was speaking on behalf of Official Community Partner of the RFU, SSE, who is giving English rugby clubs the opportunity to win a £10,000 portable floodlight. To enter go to www.SSERugby.com
