Rob Burrow: Wembley tribute planned for late Leeds Rhinos legend at Challenge Cup finals

Burrow’s death was announced today (Sunday). The former scrum-half played his final competitive game for Leeds Rhinos in 2017 and was diagnosed with motor neurone disease two years later.

Burrow was 41 and leaves a wife and three young children. A statement from rugby league’s governing body, the RFL, said: “Rob Burrow was an outstanding player for club and country. Since December 2019, his courage and humanity - allied to that of his family, friends and former Leeds Rhinos team-mates, led by Kevin Sinfield CBE - has transcended sport. We send our love, support and sympathy to [wife] Lindsey, the children, [parents] Geoff and Irene and the rest of his family and we pay tribute to a rugby league hero.”

RFL chairman Simon Johnson said: “This devastating news has united all in rugby league in sadness and the many others who have been touched and inspired by the courageous response of Rob, his family and friends since his diagnosis in December 2019. We will take a little time as a sport to consider how best to remember Rob and to celebrate his life at our Challenge Cup finals day at Wembley Stadium next Saturday, when Leeds Rhinos will play St Helens in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final. We had already committed earlier this year that the player of the match in the men’s Betfred Super League Grand Final will receive the Rob Burrow Award, to be presented for the first time at Old Trafford this October.”