YOUNG GUNS
Billy Twelvetrees may be the darling of The Shed right now but coming up fast on the rails behind him is precocious centre Jack Reeves, who was recently capped by England U20s against Italy and cites the former Red Rose midfielder as one of his chief influences.
Reeves, who happens to be dual-qualified to play for Canada courtesy of his father, Ross, who played Canadian (American) football for Winnipeg Blue Bombers and represented his country at Bobsleigh before moving to England and playing rugby for Bristol during the mid-Nineties, started playing rugby as a budding No.10 at Dursley RFC before switching positions.
Reeves, 18, said: “Back in the day I played mostly at ten but I was really more of a crash-ball player so when I joined Gloucester in 2014, I moved to 12. Now I’ve bulked up a bit I’m equally comfortable at 12 or 13 because I’m quite evasive and enjoy getting my hands on the ball.
“On an international level, you always look at the world’s best and I used to like watching Ma’a Nonu play. I like Malakai Fekitoa as well and now he’s moving to the Premiership with Wasps next season, it will be great to watch him from closer up. But the guy I really admire more than anyone else at the moment is Billy Twelvetrees because he’s just so professional.”
Reeves explained: “Bill had some ups and downs early in his career, leaving Leicester and having to rebuild things at Bedford before becoming a Test player, but he shows what a great player he is at Gloucester and the way you see him doing his extras all the time, making sure he doesn’t get injured and being the best player he can be, is pretty inspirational.
“He’s always so switched on and he’s played every Premiership game this season because of the way he looks after himself, so I really look up to him and that helps you focus on what you need to do to become a top professional and make it to the big time. I look up to guys like Bill, Henry Trinder and Jason Woodward, taking any tips or tricks I can from them.”
Reeves was one of five young Gloucester players who featured for England U20s in last week’s 35-10 win over Italy at Exeter, the others being Aaron Hinckley, Olly Adkins, Jack Bartlett and Tom Seabrook – proof that the Kingsholm academy is producing some gems.
“It’s a nice feather in the cap for Gloucester and they’re happy with the way the academy is shaping up,” Reeves said. “I’ve been playing for Hartpury as well, having previously done A-Levels in business, economics and PE there, and it’s a great relationship we have. Former Gloucester fullback Jon Goodridge coaches there so there’s a strong link.
“Personally, it’s been a good season and it was great to get my first U20s cap. I’ll aim to build on what I’ve done and try to be involved in the World Cup this June.”