Friday, 14 February 2014

Billy the Kid ready for England shootout with Slammin" Sam as Twelvetrees ...

By

Nik Simon



PUBLISHED:


18:43, 14 February 2014




|
UPDATED:


18:53, 14 February 2014



For Billy Twelvetrees, England’s fair-haired and well-spoken inside centre, the prospect of fighting for selection with the rugged and northern-toned Sam Burgess must be daunting.


Slammin’ Sam, as Burgess has become known in Australia’s rugby league community, will make the cross-code switch to the Aviva Premiership having left a trail of destruction with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.


Burgess will be hoping to make an equally seismic impact under Stuart Lancaster and selection for the 2015 World Cup will be the 25-year-old’s primary target.


VIDEO: Scroll down to watch the latest edition of O2 Inside Line


Billy blue eyes: Twelvetrees says league star Sam Burgess has the potential to be a union hit


Billy blue eyes: Twelvetrees says league star Sam Burgess has the potential to be a union hit



Sam Burgess


Sam Burgess


Write caption here



Twelvetrees could be the casualty if Bradford-born Burgess finds his feet in rugby union, but the Gloucester play-maker is excited by the new arrival.


‘He’s a hell of a player and all of his brothers are,’ said Twelvetrees. ‘He puts in some great hits and you can tell he’s a smart player who will definitely be suited to the rugby union code.


‘He showed his quality in the Rugby League World Cup and if he comes to union then it’s a great opportunity for him and for England.


‘I quite enjoy watching league and I’m fully aware of who he is and what he does. He’s a massive character in league and you look up to people like that.’


Twelvetrees has enjoyed starts against both France and Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations but the inside centre is not prepared to rest on his laurels.


For now, Saracens centre Brad Barritt is the main competition for the No 12 jersey but Twelvetrees insists that, even without Burgess, England have no shortage of contenders.



Bedding in: Billy Twelvetrees has started both of England


Bedding in: Billy Twelvetrees has started both of England’s fixtures so far in the Six Nations



Crossing codes: Bath are favourites to sign Sam Burgess from the South Sydney Rabbitohs


Crossing codes: Bath are favourites to sign Sam Burgess from the South Sydney Rabbitohs



‘There are class centres all across the Premiership; there’s competition everywhere,’ said Twelvetrees.


‘You’re pretty stupid to get comfortable because there are plenty of players for England to pick from.’


Lancaster has released 16 players back to their clubs for the coming round of Aviva Premiership fixtures and England are expected to stick with the same young formula against Ireland at Twickenham next Saturday.


There will be a huge experience deficit between the two sides, but Twelvetrees says England’s youngsters will not be intimidated by the challenge of facing a wise-foxed Ireland side containing the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.


‘It is a great opportunity to play against these superstars of Irish rugby,’ said Twelvetrees.


‘I speak for everyone when I say that playing against these sort of players is something you really relish.


Spoiled for choice: England coach Stuart Lancaster has options in his midfield


Spoiled for choice: England coach Stuart Lancaster has options in his midfield



‘I remember watching O’Driscoll as a youngster. He’s been top class throughout his career, showing everyone what he can do.


‘He’s still a world-class player; he showed that on the Lions tour and he’s showed that this season for Ireland.’


It will be an opportunity for England’s youthful squad to test themselves against one of the smartest in the business.


The midfield combination between Twelvetrees, Owen Farrell and Luther Burrell is only three games young but the early signs have been good.


‘The combination has been working well on the pitch and it’s been really loud between myself, Luther and Owen,’ said Twelvetrees.


‘Luther’s been brilliant since he’s come in and I’m looking forward to hopefully playing alongside him again.’


Combinations: Owen Farrell has started at fly-half alongside Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell


Combinations: Owen Farrell has started at fly-half alongside Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell



Impressive: Saints centre Luther Burrell has scored two tries in two appearances for England


Impressive: Saints centre Luther Burrell has scored two tries in two appearances for England



Get behind-the-scenes news from Billy Twelvetrees and his England team-mates with Inside Line, the weekly show from O2 in partnership with England Rugby, at www.O2InsideLine.com.










Comments (4)


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Love Rugby League,


London,


1 hour ago


Northern toned!!! What does that mean??? Does it mean you do or don’t spell nick with a ‘c’?


Does ‘nik’ sit next to ladyman in the kick and clap office ???





funkster,


Birmingham, United Kingdom,


1 hour ago


Scandalous if the Rfu pay for him to join bath





oz,


Gateshead,


1 hour ago


Good news for England





Blubber,


London, United Kingdom,


3 hours ago


Burgess is a beast. Him and Tuilagi would be awesome



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Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24596616


Billy the Kid ready for England shootout with Slammin" Sam as Twelvetrees ...
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