Challenge Cup final: Warrington captain Chris Hill on plumbing and Wembley

Hill approached player welfare manager Karl Fitzpatrick about the possibility of learning the trade and he started on a three-year course around his training and game commitments.

He runs the company with partner Christian Froggat, who he met while on his training. Froggat does the manual labour, Hill runs the administration side and they both go out doing quotes on free evenings.

“Christian takes the mick sometimes as he says my tools have still got the wrapper on,” Hill joked.

With training only taking up a minority of the day, Hill generally has afternoons and evenings to himself.

Asked what Warrington coach Tony Smith thinks of his job, Hill added: “He thinks it is a good idea as it can take your mind off rugby league as well, which tends to make you a better player.

“I couldn’t recommend it highly enough as it lets you concentrate on something else. And as funny as it sounds, it lets you concentrate on rugby as well.”

Asked if it makes him look forward to playing even more, Hill said: “Definitely. It gives you life skills as well in dealing with all kinds of people.”