Rob Burrow’s funeral has been set for Sunday, July 7, also known as ‘Rob Burrow Day’. After raising millions for charity with his best friend who was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2019, Kevin Sinfield played the first match of England’s summer tour in New Zealand before the rugby league hero died on June 2. You will miss it.
The 41-year-old’s family and close friends will hold a private funeral at Pontefract Crematorium, before he returns to the UK next Friday.
The public is invited to pay their respects as the procession heads to the crematorium and are asked to be in their seats by 1pm when the journey begins on Park Road near Xscape Leisure Centre.
The procession will slow down later when it passes the ground of Featherstone Lions ARLFC, where Burrow grew up playing junior rugby. But before that, it will pass through Park Lane, Ackton, Sewerbridge Lane and Common Side Lane.
After arriving at Featherstone, the vehicle continues down Pontefract Lane towards the crematorium, at which point the public is politely asked to leave and allow the family a moment to spend before arriving at the crematorium.
Sinfield, 43, has been appointed to the England squad in December 2022, succeeding Leicester man Steve Borthwick. And the England coach fully understands Sinfield’s request for a break from the tour.
“I’m flying back on Friday, which unfortunately means I’ll miss the exam,” Sinfield said. “I’ll be home for two days and then I’ll be back here to prepare for the second exam. Steve has been incredibly supportive. He’s been completely understanding and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Shinfield publicly supported Burrows in a remarkable display of endurance, including running an ultramarathon on seven consecutive days, and while away on tour in England he missed the emotional tribute to the Leeds Rhinos icon at the Rugby League Challenge Cup final.
And he admitted it was a difficult time for him as he heads to Japan this month, where England begin their summer tour with a 52-17 win in Tokyo last Saturday. “It was tough,” he said. “I went to see Rob the Thursday before he died.
“I knew he wasn’t feeling well but I went in to see him and he had this huge smile on his face, it was just wonderful. He passed away on Sunday afternoon and on Monday we were at camp before we left for Japan. By then I wanted to be with family and friends and on Monday morning we were there before we went down to Pennyhill where the Rob Burrows MND Centre is going to be built.”
Sinfield will miss the All Blacks’ match in Dunedin on Saturday, July 6. He is expected to return to camp ahead of the final Test at Auckland’s Eden Park seven days later.
