Sinfield returning to UK for Rob Burrow's funeral

Kevin Sinfield is in New Zealand as part of his coaching role with the England rugby union team

Kevin Sinfield has committed to travelling from New Zealand to spend 48 hours in the UK so that he can attend Rob Burrow's funeral on Sunday.

Sinfield is currently in the southern hemisphere with the England men's rugby union squad in his role as defence coach.

He will miss England's first Test against the All Blacks at the weekend to be present at the service at Pontefract Crematorium.

Sinfield's best friend and Leeds Rhinos legend Burrow died aged 41 in June, after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019.

Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, 41, died after being diagnosed with MND in 2019

Although the funeral is private, members of the public have been encouraged to line the streets for his final journey.

Sinfield, 43, is believed to be one of only 100 guests invited to the service.

He has been granted compassionate leave by England head coach Steve Borthwick, and told journalists in New Zealand: “I’ll fly back (to the UK) on Friday, which unfortunately means I’ll miss the Test.

“I’ll be home for two days then I’ll be back out here getting ready for the second Test.

"Steve [Borthwick] has been wonderfully supportive. He completely understands and I couldn’t have asked for any more.”

Burrow died peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital surrounded by his family, and former Rhinos team-mate Sinfield visited him a few days before he passed away.

He continued: "I knew he was poorly but I walked in to see him and I got a big smile off him, which was brilliant.

"He passed on the Sunday afternoon and on Monday we (England) were in camp before flying out to Japan.

“At that point you want to be with family and friends and on the ­Monday morning, before I travelled down to (England's training base) Pennyhill Park, I was at the site where the Rob Burrow MND Centre is going to be."

Kevin Sinfield carrying Rob Burrow over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon

Well-wishers are asked to be in position along the route of the procession from 13:00 BST on Sunday 7 July.

The funeral cortege will pass the Xscape leisure complex in Castleford and will continue along the A639 towards Pontefract, passing the racecourse before turning onto Park Lane near Pontefract Tanshelf Station.

The procession will continue towards Featherstone, slowing for a moment at Featherstone Lions ARLFC’s ground on Wakefield Road.

The cars will then travel along Pontefract Lane towards the crematorium.

Sinfield has raised more than £8m towards MND research and treatment through a series of mammoth physical challenges, including running seven marathons over seven days in seven locations.

The number seven was Rob Burrow's shirt number when he played for Leeds Rhinos.

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