Booth and has team have been working round the clock since Monday to get the work done on the pitch in the narrow time slot available. With the Rhinos not playing at home again until 17th July because of consecutive away games coming up, it was essential that the work was completed on schedule to give the grass time to grow back.

Commenting on the work, Booth said, "Following the Rhinos game last Friday against Bradford we began preparing the pitch for the annual renovation. We use a Blec Sandmaster with 10 inch blades to cut slits into the pitch which are then instantly filled with sand. This will help rain water get straight down to the drains that we have under the pitch. The drains on a modern pitch have an expected life span of around 15 to 20 years so when you consider that the drains here at Headingley Carnegie were built in 1963 you can see that it is imperative that we carry this work out during the summer months when the grass grows vigorously and can respond to the work we have done on it.

"If we did not do the work now, it would make very difficult for us in winter and early Spring with the wetter months that we are now having at that time of year," added Booth.

Such is the expertise within the Leeds Rugby groundstaff now, that Booth and his team can now be hired by other clubs and sports to carry out work on their pitches. Recently, they undertook the summer renovation work on Wakefield Trinity's Belle Vue pitch and in September will be working on cricket and bowling greens at the end of their seasons. Booth added, "We have got a great deal of experience and expertise within our team and through the suppliers we use. Clubs have found it useful to bring us in to do the job for them without the expense of having to buy all the state of the art equipment that we have to hand."

If you would like more information how your club or organisation can utilise Jason Booth and his team email him direct at jason.booth@leedsrugby.com
To watch a video interview with Jason when he explains the work carried out this week, click here