Harlequins head groundsman Paul Sykes will feature in national TV adverts that will be broadcast around Aviva Premiership Rugby coverage on ESPN, Sky Sports and ITV this season.

The 32-year-old, who has been working at the club for a year after moving to Farnham from Blackpool, has been selected by Quins as the behind the scenes 'unsung hero' for the new campaign.

In Aviva’s season-long campaign, Sykes will join the likes of Bath Supporters' Club membership secretary Georgina Barratt and Saracens kit manager Roy Reylan.

The adverts demonstrate the value of teamwork and recognise the important roles played by individuals behind the scenes in the Premiership.

“I am really proud to be called an unsung hero for the club and it is great to be recognised since I have only been at the club for a year,” said Sykes who is writing a book on his groundsman experiences.

“It was a bit strange at first but I am really getting used to it now and I am starting to feel like a bit like a rock star - I love it.

“Before I came to Quins I worked at Kirkham Grammar School back home and I have run into a couple of players who came from that school like Richard Wigglesworth.

“I was just putting the flags out before the game and he recognised me so he came to say hello.

“The best thing about this sport is that everyone is really friendly and there is a real community feel to it.

“The worst part of the job is after a game because I spend all week getting the pitch ready and then it is ruined.

“I treat each blade as an individual so it is hard to take when it gets cut up.”

Gary Price, Head of Marketing for Aviva, said: “Aviva Premiership Rugby sponsorship appealed to us so much was the values of teamwork and respect which exist within the game.

“Through these adverts we wanted to show that an Aviva Premiership Rugby team is about far more than just the players on the pitch.”