Kick-off in rugby league’s Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Warrington at Wembley on Saturday has been altered as part of a tribute to the late Rob Burrow.
The former Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain star died at the age of 41 on Sunday, more than four years after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, an incurable degenerative condition.
Now the Challenge Cup final will kick-off at 3:07 pm (1407 GMT) instead of the scheduled 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) in honour of Burrow, who wore the number seven shirt during his playing career,
A minute’s silence will be observed before both the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals — the latter kicks off at Wembley at 11.45 am (1045 GMT) — and there will also be a minute’s applause after seven minutes.
The Rugby League said the game “celebrates the life of Rob Burrow — the former Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain scrum half who wore the number 7 jersey with such courage and distinction throughout his playing career”.
Prince William and former teammate Kevin Sinfield led the tributes to the diminutive scrum-half, who won eight Super League Grand Finals and three World Club Challenges during a stellar career.
The groundbreaking of the Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds went ahead as planned on Monday at Burrow’s request, with his family saying he “would be looking down and smiling”.
Close friend Sinfield, who alongside Burrow raised millions of pounds for MND charities, attended the ceremony, along with Burrow’s parents Geoff and Irene Burrow, and his sisters.
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