Harlequins centre George Lowe has had so much time on his hands over the last two years he has set up his own property development business.

But now it is time to get down to the business of scoring tries, winning rugby matches and lifting silverware.

The 25-year-old former Epsom College student might have been preparing for September’s Rugby World Cup had it not been for a career threatening neck injury in September 2013 that sidelined him for a season.

Lowe, who had won the European Challenge Cup, lifted the Premiership title and toured South Africa with the England senior squad in 2012 prior to the injury, returned to first team rugby with Quins last season.

Niggling injuries and the need to manage past problems limited the Kingston-born player to just 15 appearances as director of rugby Conor O’Shea’s men finished well adrift of qualifying for a place in the European Champions Cup.

“I’ve been a bit unlucky. A lot of rugby is about luck. It is a lottery when it comes to injury," said Lowe, who is in the final year of his contract and saw former centre partner Jordan Turner-Hall retire from the game through injury this summer.

“I did my ankle on tour in South Africa. Came back from that and then the following season I did my neck at the start of the season and missed it.

"I played quite a few games last year, but was still struggling a bit. It takes time to come back from an injury like that. We’ll have to see how it goes.

Surrey Comet:

international: Playing for England Saxons against Scotland in 2013

“You cannot really mess around with it. I have to be careful, but I always want to play.”

He added: “I did up my own house when I was injured. I’ve also set up a tiny property company where I’m doing up a couple of flats in Brixton.

“It is good to get away from rugby. I do a bit of the work and help the builders and I enjoy it.

“It is good to have interests outside of rugby, because I’ve had a lot of injuries.”

Quins face the USA in Philadelphia – where they will also train with NFL side the Philadelphia Eagles - on Saturday as their hosts prepare for the World Cup.

The extended pre-season has the Quins squad - boasting new signings Lions centre Jamie Roberts and Australian lock James Horwill - out to right the wrongs of last term.

And Lowe believes there is plenty to be positive about with last season’s injury savaged campaign helping the squad increase its pool of experience.

“We know we fell below the standards we expect of ourselves,” he said.

“Our main aim is to get to the top of the table and win some silverware.

“Conor [O’Shea] has brought in a few new faces that will freshen things up and make an impact.

“The main positive of last season was a lot of younger guys got a lot of experience that they might otherwise not have done had it not been for the injuries.

“That will only stand them and the club in good stead in the long run.”