There are some things in life you just never want to end. That glorious summer holiday as the sun sets over the beach on your final evening under the stars, a wonderful meal when the bill arrives, or that memorable concert as your favourite band perform their last song of the evening.

Those feelings are a strange mixture of enjoyment, gratitude and sadness. Similar emotions will pervade as Rachael Burford exits the green grass of her Twickenham home for the final time on Sunday.

Burf has been a constant at Harlequins. She has been our lighthouse, a shining beacon to cling to when the rugby seas got rough. However bad things got on and off the field, you felt Rachael Burford had a metaphorical arm around your shoulder, you knew things would turn out okay.

Being the official Welsh cake provider to the Quins women’s squad, I got to see the England centre’s silky skills on a weekly basis. I also witnessed her modesty and kindness to those around her, and experienced it first hand when my parents passed away.

She straddled the bridge between old world rugby and the new order, managing to retain the old values, whilst embracing the hard edged professionalism that is an essential requirement at the top end of the game.

Rachael maybe a Red Rose legend but at Harlequins she is just one of the gang, taking and giving the banter in her own humble way

Revealed as one of the top 50 most influential rugby people In Rugby World magazine, Rachael has always set the standards on and off the field where her media skills are also superb looking supremely assured in front of the camera.

Her playing career has been nothing short of incredible. 81 England caps, four World Cups, two World Cup finals, two World Cup Sevens, a Six Nations Grand Slam, a Premiership Title and the RPA merit award in 2017 together with some bloke called Richie McCaw.

Burf’s floating passes are a thing of beauty, England World Cup winning coach Gary Street compared them to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, but for me, they have an operatic quality more akin to a Puccini aria. You know exactly what is coming, but it is still always a joy to behold.

Even award-winning Red Roses have to start somewhere, and those important roots were established at Medway RFC, which was virtually a family concern. Dad did everything from the bar to the books and the boots, whilst Rachael spent her formative years in the scarlet and gold shirt, the highlight being a season playing alongside mum Renata and sister Louise.

Everything that can be written about Rachael Burford has already been penned and in many forms and guises, but for me, it is her actions that separate her from the rest.

She has been a pioneer and pathfinder for the women’s game, quite a weight to carry when you are trying to focus on your own game. Those strong shoulders, the ones that rotate to provide a pass worthy of Beethoven or Puccini, carried that load with grace, poise, and in a light humble manner that made it appear effortless.

So the hour is upon us and it is nearly time when another one of those things in life that you never wanted to end actually does.

You can always go on another holiday, have another memorable meal or hear your favourite band on their next tour, but there will never be another Rachael Burford. We are sad, but we are also incredibly glad for what we’ve had.

Thanks for everything Burf, We will miss you.