IT was already set to be a dramatic day at Wembley on Saturday, with Wakefield Trinity, Bradford Bulls’ conquerors in the last-four, taking on Sheffield Eagles in the 1895 Cup final, before Wigan Warriors face Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup final.

But now the day has taken on additional poignancy, following the death of former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow last Sunday from Motor Neurone Disease at the age of only 41.

Burrow was one of the best half-backs of the summer era, winning eight Super League titles with Leeds, and reaching seven Challenge Cup finals, triumphing in two of them.

His first Challenge Cup medal came exactly 10 years ago, as Rhinos beat Castleford 23-10 at Wembley, and a decade on, Burrow’s life will be remembered at the famous ground.

The main tribute is that the Challenge Cup final will kick off at 3:07pm, rather than 3pm, in honour of the famous number seven shirt that Burrow wore with distinction at Rhinos.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rob Burrow in action for Leeds against Bulls and Iestyn Harris at Odsal in 2007.Rob Burrow in action for Leeds against Bulls and Iestyn Harris at Odsal in 2007. (Image: PA.)

All four games on Saturday, the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals, the 1895 Cup final and the Champions Schools final, will be marked by 60 seconds of applause in the seventh minute too.

A minute’s silence will take place before the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals too, with the latter game involving Leeds Rhinos, as they take on St Helens.

Players and match officials in all four finals will also be involved in a demonstration of rugby league’s support for the MND Association, while before all of that, supporters will be able to leave tributes outside the rugby league statue located at Wembley Stadium from 9:45am on Saturday morning.

For those unsure of what that is, it is a bronze sculpture which immortalises a quintet of rugby league legends, in Eric Ashton, Billy Boston, Martin Offiah, Alex Murphy and Gus Risman.