Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain rugby league great Rob Burrow has died.
Burrow, who was 41, had lived with motor neurone disease (MND) for nearly five years after being diagnosed in late 2019.
The diagnosis came just two years after he retired from playing, following a stellar 17-year career that included winning eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.
Burrow’s death was announced by Leeds Rhinos, who called their former player “a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND”.
In 2022, Burrow was honoured with the Helen Rollason Award at BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, along with ex-Leeds team-mate Kevin Sinfield.
Burrow was given the award for relentless fundraising and raising awareness of MND while battling the illness himself.
Burrow spent his entire club career with Leeds and made more than 400 appearances between 2001 and 2017.
One of the most successful rugby league players in history, Burrow was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for his services to the sport and for his work in the MND community.
More to follow.
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