Rob Burrow to be guest of honour at Challenge Cup final - from home - as Leeds Rhinos take on Salford Red Devils

Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last December, has decided not to travel to Wembley for Rhinos’ showdown with Salford Red Devils, but will be the RFL’s chief guest “in absentia”.

RFL chairman Simon Johnson confirmed: “Had the Coral Challenge Cup final taken place in July as planned, Rob would have joined us as the guest of honour. Circumstances have changed, but Rob remains the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup chief guest, central to the day and in all our hearts as he and the rest of the rugby league community this year watch the final from home.”

Johnson said Burrow - a try scorer for Leeds at Wembley five years ago - represents “the best of the sport”.

He added: “An inspirational player, a dedicated father, husband and son and now an inspiration as a campaigner, Rob is beloved by everyone in rugby league and by many, many friends of our sport.

“For this highly unusual Challenge Cup final, with no supporters in the ground and no traditional presentation of the trophy, we are delighted he accepted our invitation to be chief guest in absentia.”

Since his diagnosis, Burrow has been campaigning to raise awareness of MND and funds to fight the illness. Johnson said: “Rob has chosen to use this platform to say thank you again to the rugby league community for its support to him and his family and to further raise awareness of MND on behalf of those living with the disease who do not have a public profile.

“A simple text-to-give service has been set up in honour of our chief guest to enable all of us to further show our love and support over the Coral Challenge Cup final weekend - and raise much needed funds for the MND Association.

“Every Challenge Cup Final has a chief guest who is special to the sport and in this year it is the sport’s very great honour that this is Rob Burrow.”

Text MNDROB to 70085 to donate £7. Texts cost £7, plus one standard rate message.

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Laura Collins