Rob Burrow ‘humbled’ by classy France shirt gesture for England World Cup clash

Rob Burrow has responded to the gesture France will do to honour him in today’s World Cup game against England.

In a special jersey for the occasion, the French team will have “Burrow7” embroidered onto their shirts as a sign of respect for the former England and Great Britain international who is siffering from MND.

Not only that, but France captain Benjamin Garcia will also give former Leeds Rhinos great Burrow a signed France jersey with “Burrow 7” on the back.

Ce samedi, à l'occasion de @England_RL 🆚 France @FFRXIII en @RLWC2021 les Bleus porteront un maillot avec le Hashtag #Burrow7 Un maillot portant le Numéro 7 a été signé par tous les joueurs et lui sera remis par le capitaine @12GarciaBen à l'origine de l'idée @lindependant pic.twitter.com/zQcPEga6vM

— L'Indépendant Sports (@sport_lindep) October 21, 2022

And taking to his Twitter account, Burrow has responded stating that he is ‘humbled’ by the gesture.

He said: “How wonderful! Only in our sport would this happen. I’ve played in France many times and always loved it. I’m very humbled by this kind gesture.”

How wonderful! Only in our sport would this happen. I've played in France many times and always loved it. I'm very humbled by this kind gesture. https://t.co/fNjIbRVOq3

— Rob Burrow CBE (@Rob7Burrow) October 22, 2022

It comes the same week as the ‘Rob Burrow: Living with MND’ documentary on the BBC which showed an insight into his life.

In the documentary, Burrow was shown at some of his most intimate and vulnerable moments, as well as highlighting the impact and day-to-day impact on his wife, Lindsay, three children and parents, Geoff and Irene.

Rob says during the documentary: “I’m a prisoner in my own body, that’s the way MND gets you, the lights are on, but no one’s home. I think like you, but my mind doesn’t work right. I can’t move my body.”

Despite this, he continues to state through that “he’s not giving in, right until his last breath”, as he has “too many reasons to live”.

The documentary is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.