‘He inspired us’: William and Kate visit Leeds Rhinos as they praise stars inspired by Rob Burrow
‘You all brought something that made it stronger’
The Prince and Princess of Wales have praised the Leeds Rhinos generation that grew up alongside Rob Burrow, as they heard how the club’s much-loved star inspired those around him.
William and Kate visited Headingley to meet former Rhinos teammates Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who shared stories of Burrow’s impact both on and off the rugby league pitch.
After hearing stories about the special bond in the Leeds Rhinos dressing room, William said: “All the right ingredients came together, you all brought something that made it stronger.”
Burrow was diagnosed with MND barely two years after ending his stellar playing career, but refused to give up the fight and threw himself into a campaign to raise awareness of the condition and help raise funds to find a cure.
His efforts won the hearts of many and former team Sir Kevin Sinfield was knighted in the summer, for services to rugby league and the MND community, after being inspired by his friend and raising more than £10 million for MND charities.
Sir Kevin has completed a series of gruelling fundraising challenges, since Burrow’s death in 2024, and is midway through his final effort, seven ultramarathons in seven days.
As William and Kate chatted to the ex-Leeds Rhino stars in the stands, the prince mentioned the small stature of the player who stood just 5ft 5ins tall.
McGuire, who heads the Leeds Rhino Foundation’s Rugby League Development Plan, replied: “Rob was so small but so brave…we followed him, he inspired us.”
Jones-Buchanan, Leeds Rhino’s chief executive officer, told the royal couple: “What he lacked in size he made up for in his voice”, adding he was a comic in the dressing room.