Rugby league to pay tribute at Cenotaph

Figures from rugby league will be paying their tributes to the Commonwealth war dead at the Cenotaph, ahead of the 2015 Challenge Cup final.

At 11am on Friday August 28, six wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London by representatives from the Armed Forces, the RFL, the Parliamentary Rugby League Group, and Challenge Cup finalists Hull Kingston Rovers and Leeds Rhinos.

After the wreaths are laid there will be a two-minute silence. Fans are invited to attend alongside the game’s representatives.

The RFL will be represented by its chairman Brian Barwick.

Sir Stuart Peach, the Vice Chief of Defence Staff and President of Great Britain Armed Forces Rugby League, will be joined by Damian Clayton MBE, the head coach of the GBAFRL, as well as Denise Edgar from the British Legion and Greg Mulholland, the chairman of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group.

Hull KR’s representatives will include chief executive Mike Smith and club captain Terry Campese.

Leeds Rhinos will be represented by chief executive Gary Hetherington and players Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Liam Sutcliffe.

“I was privileged to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the RFL on the eve of the Challenge Cup final last year in recognition of the debt we owe the brave men and women who have given their lives for their country,” said Barwick.

“It was a very moving experience and one that I am pleased is to be repeated again this year.‎ We can never say thank you enough and I hope as many Rugby League fans as possible can take time out to join us at this important ceremony.”