Billy Twelvetrees never fazed by mistakes, says Mike Rayer

If at first you don't succeed try, try again – that is essentially Billy Twelvetrees' mantra according to former coach Mike Rayer who oversaw some of his formative years at Bedford.
The 24-year-old, who has grabbed all the headlines for his eye-catching performance on debut at Twickenham, as well as his wonderfully evocative surname, spent a year under former Wales full-back Rayer.
Last Saturday he kicked off his England career by knocking on and having a pass intercepted before bouncing back in style with a second-half score – and Rayer recalls a similar mindset in his Goldington Road days.
He told The Rugby Paper: “When Billy came to us, he arrived with us full-time and it was clear he just wanted to get out there and play.
“The great thing was that with a lot of players, if they make a mistake with their first touch they spend the next 70 minutes hiding.
“With Billy, he could have a terrible first half, but he'd keep going and turn things around in the second half. He wasn't afraid to try things, and he was outstanding for us.
“We've had a lot of guys come through and play with England, but it was different because he was with us full-time. I'd be lying if I said I knew he would make it for England, but it was clear that he had a lot of talent.
“I actually thought he might end up at full-back, with his powerful boot and his running ability, but he played mainly in the centres and at fly-half for us.
“I'd like to think that the time he spent at fly-half with us helped him in his development. I always think the best inside centres are former fly-halves.”
Twelvetrees also achieved cult status at Bedford for not just playing reasons.
Sponsored by Amanda Jane Lingerie, he notched 18 tries and his share of goals, provoking much mirth at the time.
“Every time Billy scored his sponsor's name was read out and the crowd would go crazy,” said Bedford chairman Geoff Irvine.
Twelvetrees joined Bedford having spent two years with Leicester, returning to Welford Road after a year with the Blues.
Prior to his arrival in the East Midlands, he had learned his trade in West Sussex, first with Pulborough, then from the age of nine at Horsham, until joining Haywards Heath for a couple of seasons from the age of 15.
Even at that early age, his natural talent was clear for all to see, as Johnny Ordidge, inside centre to fly-half Twelvetrees at Horsham, attests.
Ordidge said: “When he came to us, we already knew about him, he was the best eight-year-old in Sussex, and playing with him made things much easier for me.
“He was always a very instinctive player, and his speed of thought was what stood out. Even as a young guy, his rugby brain was just unbelievable.
“We all knew that he was very talented, but even so, it was extremely exciting for everyone at the club this weekend, there are still a lot of people who played in the same age group team as him, who are now in the first team. We also had Joe Launchbury here for a couple of years, so that was very special.
“The great thing is that he came back to Horsham about six months ago and we were able to catch up then. He was great on the pitch as well, he could probably have won a lot of games on his own, but he was a great team player.”
Launchbury was not the only famous Joe to feature alongside Twelvetrees in his early years, the 24-year-old went unbeaten with Haywards Heath's colts team alongside England teammate Joe Marler in 2006.
Sam Galbraith featured in that same team with the England pair, and he admits it is quite surreal to see his former teammates turning out for the Red Rose.
He added: “Billy and Joe were different class, versatile players and players who made a real difference when in our team.  It's awesome to see two players you played with many times now alongside each other again in the England first XV.”
PAUL EDDISON