EXPERIENCING life outside a normal rugby environment is important for young players learning their trade in the sport.

That’s the view of Worcester Warriors wing Tom Biggs, who supports the Blue Cross animal re-homing centre in Bromsgrove.

“You can get a little bit cocooned sometimes in a rugby environment because some of the lads are coming from school and going into a more senior school-type environment at clubs,” said Biggs.

“Players are working with schedules and getting told what to do by their clubs and I think it’s very important that lads are interacting with other people in other environments.”

Biggs, who joined Warriors in the summer, is a big lover of animals and has become a supporter of the work carried out at Blue Cross.

The 30-year-old visits the centre at least twice a month.

“I am one of the lads from Worcester Warriors who go up to the centre and do quite a bit and it’s about rais - ing awareness as well as funds for them,” he said.

“I am a huge animal lover and I know a massive amount of lads in the squad are too.

“At the start of the season we wanted to work with a few charities and that’s one I wanted to work with.

“Animal welfare is very important and the people who work at the centre do fantastic work in taking in animals and working tirelessly.

“If we can support them and help people around Worcester and the community looking to take in a res - cue dog rather than buying a new puppy, then it’s beneficial.

“I have been very close a few times to taking home animals and have helped a few friends who are looking for pets.

“We go up to the centre and walk with the dogs and sit with the cats when they want a bit of company.

“The centre gets a lot of turn-over in animals and, fortunately, they do very well in re-homing them.”

The centre find homes for unwanted cats, dogs and small animals, tailoring their service to help each pet find the right person for them.

Biggs said: “It’s very humbling to see the hard work that people put in at the centre.

“Sometimes, with the job we do, you can lose perspective on life a little bit but when you go to these places after a bad game it can help you refocus.”

Biggs, who will be at Warriors next season, added: “For the younger guys, I think it’s important they get to do things like this because it’s an opportunity for them to see what real life is like.”