Rugby unites to remember Rob Burrow


Rugby league and rugby union have come together on their biggest days of the season to pay tribute to Rob Burrow. 

The 41-year-old died on Sunday having lived with motor neurone disease (MND) since being diagnosed in late 2019.

The Challenge Cup final between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves had its kick-off moved to 15:07 BST in honour of Burrow's number seven shirt which he wore during a stellar rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos. 

Two huge banners depicting Burrow were displayed at either end of Wembley while Abide With Me was sung as the players and match officials walked out wearing shirts bearing his number on their backs. 

A minute's silence was observed at the start of both the men's and women's Challenge Cup finals. 

At Twickenham in rugby union's Premiership final fans stood and applauded for Burrow in the seventh minute, a tribute which also took place in both matches at Wembley.

On a shirt placed underneath the rugby league statue at Wembley a fan wrote: "You were a great player, a great man and an even bigger inspiration. We will never forget you."

Burrow's team-mate Jamie Peacock told BBC Sport: "It's about celebrating the good that Rob brought not only to the world of rugby league, but to the world as a whole.

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