Lindsey Burrow, the wife of rugby icon Rob Burrow, has opened up about the near-12 months that have followed his death. Burrow, who was 41 years old at the time, had lived with motor neurone disease (MND) since his diagnosis in 2019.

He had been diagnosed just two years after hanging up his boots following an illustrious career that saw him win eight Super League Grand Finals with Leeds Rhinos, as well as three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups. His death conjured up an emotional reaction from the world of sport, with his wife having since reflected on life without Burrow.

Speaking in an interview with The Times, Lindsey said: “We talk about Rob every day. It might be simple little things — if a song comes on on the radio and it reminds us of Rob. We also have a little memory jar and every so often we’ll take the memories out and talk about Rob as a family. The children have made memory books at school with the teachers.

“We’ve done all the public things — in terms of the documentary, which was amazing — but it was important the children had something private to remember him. We did make some hand castings [before he died] and some pieces of jewellery with his fingerprints. We just try to keep his memory alive by talking about him and remembering those times.”

It’s done little to quell the heartbreak among the couple’s children though, with Lindsey admitting they often get unexpectedly upset. She added: “The children get upset unexpectedly. That’s grief: it hits you at uncertain times you wouldn’t expect it to. There are silly little things now, like some piece of news will happen and I think, ‘Oh I’ll text Rob’. Or I’d always text Rob when I’d leave work, saying, ‘I’m leaving, see you soon’.

“I don’t think, as a society, we do talk about our lost loved ones and people that have gone — probably for fear of getting upset or upsetting somebody. But I’ve actually found that it helps,” she said. “It helps keep their memory alive. Remember the good times, the fond memories, the happy times that you’ve shared. No one can ever take those memories away from you.”

Just before he passed away, Burrow urged people to never “waste a moment” of their lives in an emotional final message. Speaking in the BBC documentary, There’s Only One Rob Burrow, the rugby ace said: "My final message to you is whatever your personal battle be brave and face it. In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream.”