Thursday 11 February 2016 17:16, UK
Rob Burrow says leading Leeds out against Australian champions North Queensland Cowboys will rank alongside winning the Grand Final.
The 33-year-old half-back or hooker, who has spent his entire career with the Rhinos, will step in as captain during the absence of Danny McGuire, who is expected to be out for six weeks with a knee injury sustained in the opening game of the Super League season.
Burrow will lead the champions against Widnes on Sunday and skipper them against the Cowboys in the 2016 World Club Challenge at Headingley a week later.
"It's a real honour," he said. "It doesn't get much better than that, it will be up there with winning a ring.
"I love this club, I've supported the team all my life, so to look back when I finish and say I captained the team for a few games will be something I'll never forget.
"Obviously I'm just filling in for Danny while he is out injured but I'm really thankful to be asked so I'll captain them and hopefully do them proud.
"I won't have to do much more than I do generally, organising teams is what halves and hookers do, so I'm pretty much used to that role.
"Obviously Danny is still captain but maybe on the pitch I'll have to make a few decisions, though to be fair the team is pretty well organised and there are a lot of leaders."
Meanwhile, the NRL champions completed their preparations for the trip to England with an 18-16 win over Townsville Blackhawks in a trial match on Thursday.
North Queensland coach Paul Green fielded a near full-strength side, including captain and 2015 Golden Boot winner Johnathan Thurston for half the game, with new signing Shaun Hudson deputising for injured winger Antonio Winterstein in the only change to the team that won October's Grand Final.
