Rob Burrow funeral plans revealed – including poignant meaning behind date & touching procession

Kevin Sinfield revealed he got a ‘big smile’ from best mate Rob Burrow when he paid a heartbreaking final visit just days before his death.

The England rugby union defence coach will head home from the tour to New Zealand for his friend’s funeral.

Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019, died earlier this month aged 41.

The funeral takes place in Pontefract a week tomorrow, which means Sinfield will miss next week’s opener against the All Blacks in Dunedin with the blessing of head coach Steve Borthwick.

He will then return to New  Zealand to help prepare England for the Second Test against the All Blacks on July 13.

Sinfield, 43, said: “That weekend was tough. I got to see him on the Thursday before he passed.

“We had broken from camp. I knew he was poorly, but I walked in to see him and I got a big smile which was brilliant.

“I’ll be home for two days then I’ll be back out here getting ready for the Second Test. Steve has been wonderfully supportive.

“Apart from being at home with family this is probably the best place for me to be. Rob would want me to be here and be part of this.  He would want me to be supporting the guys.

“Rob passed on a Sunday afternoon and on Monday we were in camp before we went out to Japan. At that point you want to be with family and friends and on Monday morning, before I travelled down, I was at the site where the Rob Burrow MND Centre is going to be. They put the first spade in the ground, and his mum and dad were there and his sisters.”

Sinfield has led the charge in the fight against MND, raising more than £7million with a series of ultra-running challenges.

But the rugby league legend admits he wishes he could have been at more of the  tributes to Burrow at various sporting events and hailed the supportive England squad.

Sinfield joined Red Rose players packing food parcels at an Auckland volunteer centre run by ex-All Blacks star Sir Michael Jones on Thursday.

He said: “It’s been really good to get away and have time to reflect. The lads have been fantastic in my time working with them . . .  they’ve shown compassion and care for me that won’t go unnoticed.

“There are a lot of things I have missed over the last few weeks. We were at the Premiership final, where they did a wonderful job with the tribute to Rob and the FA did a wonderful job earlier that week.

“Then at the Challenge Cup final there was a big tribute. There was a big tribute last week at the Rhinos game, there was an MND round in Super League. There are some bits I would like to have been there to witness.”
Burrow’s funeral is a private affair but thousands are expected to line the Pontefract streets.

Sinfield said: “People might know where it is and come and stand outside, but there’s only about 100 people who have been asked to attend. The rest will be asked to line the streets, which I’m sure they will.”