England coach and Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield has paid an emotional tribute to long-term friend Rob Burrow, following his passing. 

Burrow, a fellow Leeds Rhinos legend, had been battling MND since 2019. Since his diagnosis, Burrow and Sinfield have helped raise vital awareness for the disease, as well as nearly £20 million in fundraising across the UK and Ireland.

Part of the fundraising efforts have been aimed at building the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds, which has so far raised over £6 million.

In a statement published on Leeds Rhinos twitter page, Sinfield said: “Today was the day that I hoped would never come. The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many.

“You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.

“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya and Jackson, to your lovely parents Geoff and Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.

“You will continue to inspire me every single day. I have lost a dear friend and I will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch.

“I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however, since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I ever met.

“The last four-and-a-half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face.

“I will miss you my little mate. All my love, Kev X”

The thoughts of everyone at Rugby Nause News are with the Burrow family.

For information on how to donate to help build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, click here.