Friday Interview - Danny McGuire: Brother's dedication provides perspective for McGuire

While the Leeds Rhinos stand-off was earning a reputation as one of the game's most exciting young talents, he was also constantly hoping his younger brother was safe from harm while fighting for his country in foreign climes.

Adam did return unscathed after completing around six years' service for the Yorkshire Regiment but McGuire knows all too well the challenges families face.

"He was quite lucky in one sense in that the places he served – Northern Ireland and Bosnia – weren't the most hostile," said the England international, at the launch of a new partnership aimed at boosting morale among troops and introducing more to the sport.

"But I used to worry. Adam's two years younger than me and I'd always ring him and check everything was okay. He was away for long periods and it was a strange feeling.

"I do have bit of understanding of how families feel.

"He's been out of the Army for a while now but he has got a lot of friends who he speaks regularly to in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"Only last week one of those who he worked with at Catterick got killed. He was really upset. It puts everything into perspective."

Talking about Leeds's game against St Helens tomorrow evening does suddenly seem completely irrelevant but the Super League club are playing their part in helping the troops.

They have teamed up with Hesco Bastion, the Leeds-based company which manufactures Concertainer units used in military defence, to not only offer tickets for servicemen and women when they return from action but give their families the chance to watch games while their loved ones are away on operations.

McGuire said: "It's a fantastic idea.

They can come down here, see a match, get involved with the club and help take their minds off things but can also come down as a whole family together too."

Brought up on the tough streets of East Leeds, McGuire might have been a perfect candidate for life in the Army himself but a professional rugby league career beckoned.

And he conceded: "We used to go on Army camps when we were younger with the Academy.

"They used to really put you through it and that put you off a little bit.

"But the amount of work they do putting their life in danger to protect us shows a lot of courage and I can't speak highly enough of them."

Some of the Armed Forces will be in attendance at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow when Leeds resume their rivalry with joint-second Saints.

They have defeated the Merseysiders in each of the last three Grand Finals but find themselves in the strange position of fifth heading into their latest contest.

However, their form has been ominously consistent of late and McGuire admits, with eight regular games to go, the champions are ready to make a late surge.

"We're trying to get back into it and feel like we're going okay," he said, his wonderfully incisive finish helping them to a 37-30 win at second-placed Warrington on Sunday.

"We're not sat in the best position but want to get ourselves into the top four and give ourselves a good shot in the play-offs.

"We've a lot to do with some tough games, like Saints, but we got a great win at Warrington.

"We're a bit disappointed with our defence and we let in too many points but to get a win over there, whatever the scoreline, was fantastic. It showed a lot of character."

Leeds have maintained their resurgence despite being without Rob Burrow for the last two months, the scrum-half who has been like McGuire's twin brother due to their longevity as a half-back partnership since their emergence from the club's Academy in 2001.

Given they are as sprightly and dynamic on the pitch as they were back then, it is amazing to think the fresh-faced pair will both be 28 by the end of the season.

Burrow has been missing with a knee injury and McGuire admitted: "It's unbelievable for his body size the batterings Rob takes but I can't remember him missing hardly any games over the years.

"I've missed a few here and there but this is probably the longest we haven't been together.

"It did take a couple of weeks to adapt but I've enjoyed the extra responsibility.

"Sometimes we look to Rob for his leadership but obviously me and Kev (Sinfield) have now had to step up to the plate.

"Rob's our general but we've had to take his responsibilities on and I've enjoyed that added pressure.

"My form's been good and I've enjoyed getting my hands on the ball a little more but it will be nice to get Rob back as he will add another dimension."

The Saints game falls a week too early for the jet-heeled Burrow but their opponents do welcome back their own devastatingly slippery scrum-half – Kyle Eastmond.

"He's a fantastic talent," said McGuire.

"For his young age, I was really impressed with his calmness in the England camp the other week. He needs watching."