Rob Burrow: Rugby unites to remember Leeds star who died of MND

On a shirt placed under the rugby league statue at Wembley, one fan wrote: “You were a great player, a great man and an even greater inspiration. We will never forget you”.

Burrow’s team-mate Jamie Peacock told BBC Sport: “It’s about celebrating the good that Rob has brought not only to the world of rugby league but to the world.

“In his fight with MND, the wider world had to be inspired by her.”

He added: “Standing almost a week after Rob passed away, this is the celebration I’m trying to take out of it is the bigger world coming together.”

Fellow midfielder Kevin Brown praised Burrow’s attitude on the pitch as a player, standing just 5ft 5in against much taller opposition.

“He was an inspiration to any small player because he punched above his weight,” he told BBC Sport.

“When people talk about toughness, they normally talk about the big guys, but Rob Burrow was as tough as anybody and he scared the big guys because he would often duck under and get through the other side.”