Cross-code legend expects rugby to unite to remember Rob Burrow as ‘fitting’ tribute expected at Premiership final
Jonathan Davies expects it to be a "very emotional day" on Saturday.
Cross-code legend Jonathan Davies has called on rugby to unite as one on Saturday to remember Rob Burrow.
League and union stage their showpiece club finals at Wembley and Twickenham six days after the death of Burrow, 41, from motor neurone disease.
The Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain great transcended rugby league during five years of relentless fundraising – following the example set by union pal and fellow MND sufferer Doddie Weir before him.
Outpouring of emotion
News of his passing on Sunday evening was greeted by an outpouring of grief and emotion from every corner of the rugby world, and far beyond that.
Davies, former Man of Steel and Great Britain captain in league and fly-half wizard for Wales in union, says it is only right that everyone should now get the chance to pay their respects.
“Fans in every sport are tribal,” said Davies, who will commentate for the BBC on the Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Warrington at the same time Northampton and Bath meet in union’s Premiership final at Twickenham.
“They’ll boo and hiss opposition players and fans but, with Rob on Saturday, I think supporters everywhere will want to show the respect they had for him as a player and an MND battler. It will be a very emotional day.”
Leeds, for whom Burrow played his entire career, will also be represented at Wembley as they play St Helens in the Women’s Challenge Cup final. As expected, RFL chair Simon Johnson confirmed there would be a tribute.
And shortly after Davies spoke to Planet Rugby, sources at Premiership Rugby said discussions had begun to honour the memory of England union coach Kevin Sinfield’s best friend.
“That would be just amazing,” said Davies when informed. “Sometimes things transcend sport and pausing at Twickenham to remember Rob is a huge show of respect.
“It is also fitting given his courage in pressing on with raising awareness of that cruel disease – and much-needed funds to speed up the search for a cure.”
Earlier today, building on the £6.8 million Rob Burrow MND treatment centre in Leeds began with his family in attendance. Rob’s father Geoff dug the first hole along with Sinfield, who together with his ‘little mate’ raised more than £15 million for MND charities since 2019.
Davies added: “As the president of Velindre [Cancer Centre, Cardiff] I know how competitive the charity market is and for Rob and Doddie to have raised awareness in the way that they did – and the way Ed Slater continues to – is gold dust for the fight against MND.
“For them to have done that whilst fighting their own personal battle, particularly knowing what the final outcome is, is just incredible.”
Both codes of rugby have too often been touched by MND tragedy in recent years.
Warrington, for whom Davies played 66 games between 1993-95, mourned the death of their former GB captain Mike Gregory, at the age of 43, in 2007.
Four years later former Wire star Paul Darbyshire lost his battle with MND at the age of 41. He had moved to union after his playing days to become head of strength and conditioning at Munster.
A 55-strong Munster contingent, including the entire team, attended Darbyshire’s funeral in Warrington with Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell each delivering a eulogy.
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