Inspired by Rob Burrow: Paul McShane hails champion friend

George Riley
Paul McShane on team-mate Rob Burrow

Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com

Castleford’s Magic Weekend shirt tribute to Rob Burrow is a fitting gesture for “a champion” according to close friend and Tigers skipper Paul McShane.

Cas will take on Leeds with both sides wearing special shirts dedicated to the legendary number 7, raised in Castleford to become a hero with Leeds. The Tigers are donating £5 from each shirt sale to each of the MNDA and the Leeds Hospitals Charity, with the jersey bearing the iconic RB7 signature.

Rob’s daughters Macy and Maya will also lead the teams out at St James’ Park.

Leeds have took to social media today, Thursday, asking for people to celebrate Burrow using the hashtag #InspiredByRob.

McShane, who misses the game through suspension, said: “I’m chuffed to bits that the club has done this shirt for Rob.

“As a young kid coming through Rob was a star and one of the first blokes to put his arm round you. I got really close to him. I just think what he is doing now is inspirational. He is positive in everything he does and that just sums up Rob, he never lets anything get him down. It’s very hard to talk about but he is a champion.”

Dressing room bond

McShane learned his trade at the Rhinos, coming through the ranks as a teenager, breaking into the side in 2009 before leaving in 2013. He idolised Burrow, and says the Rhinos hero was the perfect man to learn from on and off the pitch. 

“That dressing room had a bond that was mad. Once you are in it then it is hard to forget no matter how far apart you are you always have that bond,” McShane recalls, in an exclusive chat on this week’s Love Rugby League podcast.

“As a player the big thing for me was that he was just like any normal bloke. He would sit, talk to you, have a laugh and mess about and as a kid you are starstruck with that. He would help anyone out.

“On the field he was a freak and could do absolutely anything, Tackle anything and score tries out of nothing. I don’t think there will be another Rob Burrow. He had a pretty good fighting record too! He was undefeated or so he used to say.

“His mindset was that everything he did he wanted to win. He was so strong in everything, such a competitor, a winner.”

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