Rob Burrow’s funeral will take place at Pontefract Crematorium on July 7

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Rob Burrow’s funeral will take place on Sunday July 7 at Pontefract Crematorium, his family and Leeds Rhinos have confirmed.

Former England international Burrow died on June 2, aged 41, after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

The date of the private service, which is for invited guests only, coincides with Leeds Rhinos celebrating their annual Rob Burrow Day thanks to the number seven shirt he wore during his rugby league career.

Members of the public are invited to stand by the side of the road to pay their respects as the funeral cortege makes its way to the service.

The procession will travel along the A656 (Park Road) past the Xscape leisure complex as it travels towards the M62 junction and along the A639 towards Pontefract, passing Pontefract Racecourse, before turning into Park Lane (B6134) near Pontefract Tanshelf railway station.

Cars will then follow Ackton Lane into Ackton before turning left into Sewerbridge Lane and Common Side Lane (B6133) heading towards Featherstone.

At the War Horse sculpture the procession will turn left, slowing down for a moment at Featherstone Lions ARLFC ground on Wakefield Road (A645) and again as it passes through Featherstone and close to where Burrow played his junior rugby .

Cars will then continue along Pontefract Lane towards the crematorium.

“The purpose of publishing the route is to give the public a chance to pay their respects before allowing Rob’s family and friends to mourn their loss in private, we hope everyone can respect these wishes,” a statement on Leeds Rhinos website.

There will be no live streaming of the service.

Kevin Sinfield, Burrow’s close friend and former team-mate, was granted compassionate leave from England’s tour of New Zealand to fly home and attend the funeral.

Defense coach Sinfield will miss the first Test against the All Blacks on July 6 but plans to return in time for the second Test in Auckland next weekend.

“Steve (England head coach Borthwick) has been amazingly supportive … he understands completely and I couldn’t have asked for more,” Sinfield said, according to The Guardian.

Leeds City Council and the Mayor of Leeds will host an invitation-only civic reception in Burrow’s honor at 11am on Friday 12 July, which will be broadcast live.

Burrow spent his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and helped them win eight Super League titles.

He retired in 2017, but two years later it was revealed he had been diagnosed with MND.

Burrow later raised millions to help build a new care center for MND patients alongside Sinfield.

His family politely asked members of the public not to send flowers to the funeral.

People wishing to support the family directly can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/leeds-players-association-supporting-rob-burrow

Alternatively, donations to support Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Center for MND can be made at: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/donate/mnd-centre-appeal