Let’s win the Challenge Cup for Rob Burrow says Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale

Gale will captain Rhinos at Wembley this afternoon, in only his 15th game for the club.

The last player to wear the iconic number seven jersey at Wembley was Burrow five years ago, when he was among the try scorers in a record-breaking 50-0 defeat of Hull KR.

Burrow, who was featured in a BBC documentary this week, is the RFL’s Cup final ‘guest of honour’, but will be watching from home today as he battles motor neurone disease.

The entire club was rocked by Burrow’s diagnosis and Gale said the former scrum-half, who played 492 times for Leeds from 2001-2017, will be at the forefront of the players’ thoughts today.

“He has been all season,” Gale said.

“The documentary was so emotional, just how inspirational he has been for the rugby league community, ourselves and his family – it shows what a character he is.

“He played with number seven on his jersey and every time he took to the field he gave it 100 per cent and that’s what I want to do in honour of him.”

Burrow was Rhinos’ scrum-half when Gale was coming through the ranks at his home city club.

“It is a massive honour [to wear the number seven],” Gale added. “I played against him most of my career, wearing the seven shirt. He gives it his all and leaves every bit out there.

“If I can do that, I’ll be a proud man.

“I am proud to wear the seven jersey and lead the guys out.”

With the final being played behind closed doors, Burrow will be among thousands of Rhinos fans watching the BBC’s coverage this afternoon.

That will make it a very different experience for the players, in a 90,000-capacity stadium, but Gale is confident 
Rhinos can cope with the unique lack of atmosphere. He insisted: “It is going to be different, but Super League week to week is different.

“It is something new every week and all we can do is focus on what we know, which is playing footy.

“I am sure it will be different and strange, it’s going to be a vastly open stadium with no-one inside, but that’s 2020.

“We’ve learned to deal and cope with that.

“You’re not thinking about your family all getting in and all the stresses of that.

“I have had family members text me an hour before kick-off asking where their tickets are!

“That’s all to the side and we can focus on the job at hand, which is similar to week-in, week-out.

“There’s no fans, it’s purely business.”

Gale described the days following Rhinos’ latest round of coronavirus tests as “ the most anxious” part of their build-up.

Salford’s Dan Sarginson and ex-Leeds man Jack Ormondroyd will miss the final after testing positive, but Rhinos were given a clean bill of health.

“There was a bit of anxiety Sunday night/Monday morning, but once we got the all-clear we could relax and build our week from there,” Gale said.

“It has been a great week, the boys have been good – nice and relaxed.”

The 32-year-old made his first-team debut for Doncaster 12 years ago and has played in a World Cup decider, but today is his first Challenge Cup final.

“It’s very exciting,” he said.

“It is going to be a great occasion and it’s a real honour to lead these boys out at Wembley.

“I think every rugby league player dreams of playing at Wembley and I am no different.

“It is a massive ambition of mine to play there and to lift the trophy.

“I grew up watching my heroes do that and hopefully I can do it [today].”

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