Tributes were paid to rugby legend Rob Burrow ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
Former Leeds Rhinos and England star Burrow died at the age 41 last Sunday after a four-and-a-half year battle with motor neurone disease.
He dedicated the last few years of his life to raising awareness of the disease and helped raise millions for charity.
The Prince of Wales was among those to pay tribute to Burrow upon his passing while many laid flowers outside of the Rhinos’ home ground Headingley and again at Wembley on Saturday in front of the Rugby League Legends statue.
Burrow’s life was celebrated in a number of ways ahead of the final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors, with Warrington boss Sam Burgess telling BBC Sport: ‘If you could pin down a week in the calendar – it’s fitting that it’s on the big stage at Wembley.
‘All [his] achievements, not just on the field but off the field, hopefully we can celebrate them in style with a smile on the face and remember him for what a special character he was.
‘Hopefully everyone puts on a great performance. There’s three great matches and [hopefully] we all do him justice.’
Kick-off for the final was delayed by seven minutes to 3:07pm to reflect the shirt number Burrow wore throughout his decorated career.
All players and match officials walking out wearing ‘Burrow 7’ shirts, with his final message: ‘In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream,’ inscribed on the front.
Fans took part a minute’s applause during the seventh minute of each of the four finals taking place on Saturday at Wembley.
A minute’s silence was also held just prior to kick-off of both the men’s and women’s final, the latter won by St Helens who defeated Leeds Rhinos 22-0.
‘Once the shock and sadness of Sunday night’s news had sunk in, we recognised the responsibility to provide a fitting celebration of a Rugby League superhero,’ the Managing Director of RL Commercial Rhodri Jones said.
‘We are grateful to BBC Sport and Wembley Stadium for their support – and to all involved with the six clubs and two schools who will be playing at Wembley on Saturday.
‘Challenge Cup Final day has a great tradition of the Rugby League family coming together – this year, for reasons none would have chosen, we will be united in grief, but also in paying suitable tribute to a player who has transcended the sport.’
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