WHILE down-time for most professional rugby players involves rest, relaxation and the occasional game of golf, Worcester Warriors hooker Ed Shervington is a little different.

Away from Sixways, the Welsh front-rower likes nothing better than rolling up his sleeves and mucking in on the family’s farm, near Newport.

The 26-year-old former Osprey, who is embarking on his second season as a Warrior, said: “I’m still doing plenty around the farm — I won’t ever give that up.

“We get Saturday and Sunday off so by Saturday lunchtime I’m normally keen to get involved again and do anything I can to help out.

“I spend my weeks off doing tractor work — with my feet up! That is part of my recovery really because I can relax when I am around the farm.

“It’s nice to get away from rugby and do something that can take your mind off it. Working on the farm is like a hobby for me. Some boys play golf, I play farming!”

Ahead of his Aviva Premiership debut season, Shervington has been full of praise for the behind-the-scenes work of the Worcester strength and conditioning team.

He added: “This pre-season has been a lot different to anything I have ever done.

“The first two weeks we did purely weights and were leaving the gym close to throwing up.

“We have had some of the most intense sessions we have ever done and that is very much down to the strength and conditioning staff.

“When you throw the running in too, it has been double work. But we will get some great benefits going into the new season.

“Everyone has stepped it up from last year and the players certainly have from the last pre-season. The actual rugby sessions are much more intense and the competition is fierce.

“The Premiership is a different style of play and very physical, but I am really looking forward to getting involved as much as I can.”

One thing’s for sure, though, Shervington is an egg-chaser in the true sense of the word!

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