FORMER Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow, who won eight Super League Grand Finals with the club, has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of just 37.

Scrum-half Burrow, who only retired from playing at the end of the 2017 season, is Rhinos' reserve team head coach, having been in charge of the academy side for the past two seasons.

The horrible disease has been in the spotlight regionally and nationally over the last year or so. Former Bradford City defender Stephen Darby retired from football in September 2018 after being diagnosed with MND.

He set up the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, alongside friend and fellow sufferer Chris Rimmer. A fundraising match for the charity took place this July at Valley Parade between City and Darby's boyhood club Liverpool, with over £275,000 raised.

Then, former rugby union star Doddie Weir, who Leeds' Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield revealed has been taking time out to support Burrow, bravely collected the Helen Rollason Award at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of The Year and talked on stage about his battle with the disease.

The friendly clash between Rhinos and Bulls at Headingley on Sunday, January 12, will now be a joint fundraiser for Burrow and Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

Burrow knows he can count on the support of Weir and thousands of others as he tackles MND, and in a statement released today, he said: "Regrettably, today I am confirming that I have been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

"I would like to thank everyone for the support I have received already since being given my diagnosis.

"I know I have a big challenge in front of me but knowing that I have the love and support of so many people will give me inspiration and strength. I am very positive about the situation and intend to battle the condition as I still feel fit and well.

"I would like to ask for privacy at this time so I can adjust to the battle I have ahead and so that I can spend time with those closest to me ahead of Christmas and New Year."

His close friend Sinfield said: "This has been devastating news and heartbreaking for Rob and his young family. The thoughts of everyone at Leeds Rhinos and, I am sure, throughout the rugby league family are with Rob and his wife Lindsey.

"Throughout his career, Rob overcame the odds to become a legend of the game and I know he will tackle this challenge with the exact same positive determination.

"As a club, Rob will receive our full support and we will be working with him to chart the way forward. I would like to thank Doddie Weir for taking time out recently to meet with Rob and talk about his own personal experiences with MND.

"The news has been a massive shock and I know it will be similar for his many former team mates, friends and fans in the game.

"We will be developing ways we can best support Rob and his family in the future over the next few weeks and will be hoping to announce plans as soon as possible in the New Year.

"In the meantime, I would ask you all to keep Rob and his family in your thoughts over the festive period."