Challenge Cup Final hero reveals mum's MND fight as rugby league honours Rob Burrow - The Mirror

Bevan French led Wigan to victory in the Challenge Cup Final with an 18-8 triumph over Warrington, claiming the Lance Todd Trophy at Wembley on an emotional day, following the death of Rob Burrow

Bevan French was reminded of his own mum’s fight against motor neurone disease as he helped Wigan to a "sweet" victory over Warrington at Wembley.

The Aussie stand-off, 28, claimed the Lance Todd Trophy after inspiring Warriors to yet another Challenge Cup final success. He created a try for 20 year-old rookie Zach Eckersley, scored himself, had another ruled out and generally caused Warrington chaos. It means Wigan become the first club since St Helens in 2007 to hold all four trophies of Challenge Cup, Super League, World Club Challenge and League Leaders’ Shield.

But it was an emotional afternoon as the sport celebrated Rob Burrow, the ex-Leeds and England scrum-half who died aged just 41 last Sunday, after losing his battle with MND. And French admitted: “A couple of years ago I lost my mum to the same thing. With Rob obviously being such a legend, it has connected to me a bit emotionally.

“It’s made this week sweet, especially the fact my mum passed away from it. The first trophy I won when I came back to England after she passed away was the Challenge Cup [in 2022], so it makes it even more special.”

After a poignant rendition of Abide With Me by Katherine Jenkins, with huge Burrow banners unfurled at both ends of Wembley, there was an impeccable minute’s silence. And when the action kicked-off, it was the reigning Man of Steel French who came up with the goods in a brilliant team performance as Wigan extended their record haul of final wins to 21. Boss Matt Peet, who has won everything since taking over three years ago, admitted: “This is the best one.

“I don’t want to go into why. But the momentum was shaping up with Warrington and I was proud of the boys. It’s been an emotional week for everyone. Rob was such a special player and Bevan won’t mind me saying it stirred up his emotions. It did with me. It makes you look at your own family. And to put the fourth [trophy] in the cabinet is very special. I felt we were always in control.”

They eventually eased home - even after a chaotic opening three minutes that saw both sides see players sin-binned. Peet made a bold call by bringing veteran prop Mike Cooper, 35, in for the banned England front-row Tyler Dupree. Many expected second-row Sam Walters to get the nod. When Cooper was yellow carded after just two minutes Peet must have feared he’d got it badly wrong.

The ex-Warrington forward copped Josh Thewlis high with a swinging arm. But barely 60 seconds later, Wolves were also down to 12 men after Aussie full-back Matt Dufty collared Liam Marshall high prompting a melee. Thewlis scored an 11th minute penalty but that was about all Warrington got right in an error-ridden half.

Wigan got off the mark when Eckersley latched onto French’s dabbed kick. He was only drafted in because Aussie centre Adam Keighran was also suspended. And it was only his fifth appearance for the club. Slick French stepped inside the onrushing Toby King to accelerate over for his own try, Harry Smith’s goal giving a 12-2 interval lead.

Jai Field slipped captain Liam Farrell through a gap to score in the 57th minute and it was all but done. Dufty sliced through five minutes later as Warrington finally got things right, Thewlis improving. But it only offered false hope. Wolves boss Sam Burgess, whose own father died from MND, rued: “We’ve a young squad. Twelve of those players today have never played in a final.

“I’d like to think they’ll be better next time. And me, as a new coach. I wouldn't say we froze. Probably the occasion got us a bit early. But we’ll be better for it. It was disappointing. We just didn't play the way we’ve played all year. We made nine errors in the first half.

“But it’s not the end of us. We’ve another great challenge coming up. We’ve 14 games in the league and 14 opportunities to improve ourselves. We just had a bad day in the office. It'll only make us better in the long run.”