Ben Flower's new job during lockdown

He has wound back the clock to work as a labourer, helping a friend with groundwork projects – a job he had when he was a teenager.

“I’ve found myself a little job which has taken me back 20 years,” said the 32-year-old Welsh prop.

“I used to work with my old man, he’d have me digging out conservatory bases, all by pick and shovel and wheelbarrow, he taught me the hard way about how to earn money.

“Now I’m doing it with a local friend, and I’m back to it digging out conservatory bases basically.

“He’s had a bit of kit but today it has all been by hand – it’s keeping me fit.”

Outdoor workers such as gardeners can still work during the lockdown provided they can maintain social distancing.

Work aside, Flower has been keeping fit and admits to spells of boredom.

In an interview on Windy Arbour Farm Shop’s Instagram channel, he said: “It’s not too bad, you get to a point where you’ve done every job in the garden and cleaned the car five times. "It's getting a bit boring but we’re doing it for a reason.”

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