Billy Twelvetrees named Gloucester captain

Twelvetrees has really stepped up his game (©GettyImages).

A new Premiership season is imminent for Gloucester, and after an underachieving year a new director of rugby has taken up the vacant role and has designated the captaincy to Billy Twelvetrees from previous holder Tom Savage.

Last season Savage was captain of Gloucester whilst Nigel Davies was director of rugby, and it wasn't the perfect campaign for the west country side finishing ninth in the Premiership table having only won eight games from their 22 matches.

But now after the departure of Davies, David Humphreys has taken over the new role and his first action was to give the captaincy to England representative Billy Twelvetrees.

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Billy Twelvetrees

The 25-year-old is heading into his third season at the club having joined in 2012 from Leicester Tigers, but in recent interview stated it is a privilege to hold the captaincy for Gloucester Rugby.

"It is an honour to take the role of club captain of this great club," he said.

"I have had the honour to have represented two of England's greatest clubs in Leicester Tigers and the Cherry and Whites, and to now have the privilege to captain Gloucester is something I dreamt of."

Twelvetrees has really developed as a player having pushed his way into the England squad over the past year, as we saw the 25-year-old deliver some solid performances in England's Six nations campaign.

But this is a bigger step up for the former Tigers' man, as he has taken on an important role that needs his full attention, for England and 2015 will be on his mind but the main objective would be to have an improved year with Gloucester.

David Humphreys

To get the captaincy however after only three seasons at the club is a risky move but in the eyes of Humphreys the centre deserves it, as the former Ulster coach believes that the Englishman has led by example over the last few months.

"In the short time that I have known and worked with Billy, he has lead by example in everything he does, both on and off the pitch," Humphreys stated.

"We're all delighted that he has accepted the captaincy, and his leadership and international experience will be crucial as the players and management prepare for the start of the new season."

Humphreys previously spent six years at Ulster before making the move to the Aviva Premiership, as the 42-year-old has never experienced Premiership rugby before but has represented Ireland on 72 occasions, so the mental factor may be in favor of the Irishman.

Gloucester

Gloucester haven't set a firm target for themselves in recent seasons as they haven't capitalised on winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2011, so the new changes instigated by Humphreys may kick his team into life.

They have some good, young players in the likes of Freddie Burns and Jonny May mixing in with the experienced Tom Palmer and Alki Lutui, so it is about Twelvetrees pushing these guys to do better.

Their opening game of the season will be against Northampton Saints on Friday night at Franklin's Gardens, and this will be a key indication of how much work Humphreys has put into Gloucester over the season break.