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Rugby League: Leeds Rhinos legend Burrow to hang up his boots

Rhinos legend Burrow to hang up his boots

Rob Burrow has announced his impending retirement from rugby league as he calls time on a career that has brought 12 major honours with Leeds Rhinos.

The diminutive hooker made his Rhinos debut in 2001 and became a key component of the club's golden generation, which brought seven Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenge crowns.

Just 48 hours on from news that fellow club icon Danny McGuire will join Hull KR in 2018, Burrow announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season and take up a role in the Rhinos' youth development staff.

The 34-year-old has made 486 appearances for the club, placing him fifth on the all-time list behind John Holmes (625), Fred Webster (543), Kevin Sinfield (521) and John Atkinson (518).

Burrow scored one of the memorable tries in Grand Final history with a scampering solo effort against St Helens in 2011, and he reflected fondly on a Rhinos career littered with moments of magic.

"It has been an honour to play for Leeds my entire career and I feel now is the right time to move onto the next chapter in my career," he said. 

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"I have been part of so many fantastic memories down the years and hopefully we can create a few more in the months ahead before I hang up my boots.

"Player development is something that has always interested me having worked with the scholarship for many years earlier in my career and seen players like Stevie Ward, Liam Sutcliffe and Ashton Golding come through from being schoolboys to first team players. Hopefully I can pass on my experience and love of the club to the next generation in my new role."

"Rob will be remembered as one of the greats of our game, not just in the Super League era but throughout the history of the sport," added Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott.

"He is someone who never gave into the doubts of others early in his career and has continued to strive for excellence ever since.

"Rob is one of the most popular members of our squad and I am delighted he will still be in and around the training ground next season after retirement.

"Just as Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai and most recently Danny McGuire, have forged their own paths post rugby, they always know that there is a place for them at the Rhinos."