League v Union collide as rugby codes unite for groundbreaking challenge in aid of MND
A groundbreaking cross-code game is set to take place in November
Rugby union and rugby league are set to unite for a ground-breaking dual-code challenge in aid of MND charities.
The game will be a hybrid between the two codes, and was an idea both Ed Slater and the late rugby league icon Rob Burrow had prior to the latter’s passing earlier this year; and it will also serve as a tribute to the late Doddie Weir, who passed away last year.
Cross-code challenge in aid of MND charities
In collaboration with Leeds Rhinos and Gloucester, the first-ever 745 Game – the three numbers of Burrow, Slater and Weir – will see legends from across the two codes battle it out in a mixed rules game.
All funds raised from the game will go towards the fight against MND, and will be split three-ways to help further research into treatments and potential cures, and provide support to families living with the disease.
The game has already seen several huge names from both codes sign up to play, with Slater’s rugby union side consisting of England internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, Matt Banahan, Jordan Crane, Tom Youngs and Tom Wood.
Elsewhere, the league side will see greats of the game Keith Senior, Adrian Morley, Luke Gale, Paul McShane, Ryan Bailey, Danny McGuire and Gareth Ellis all lace up their boots once more.
Special kits will also be made for the game, with Slater’s union side donning a special cherry and white kit designed by his children, and the Burrow league side will wear a strip inspired by the famous Magic Weekend yellow shirt designed by his children back in 2023. The officials for the game – rugby union’s Frank Murphy and rugby league’s Ben Thaler – will also wear a tartan strip inspired by Weir.
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The game will take place at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium on Sunday, November 17.
How to buy tickets
Tickets will be available from 9.30am on Thursday, October 3 at tickets.therhinos.co.uk and from 10am by calling 0371 423 1315. Tickets will be sent no later than seven days before match day.
Prices start from just £20 for adults and from £5 for juniors with discounts available for group bookings. They will increase by £3 on match-day.
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745 Game rules explainer
With the game using a set of hybrid rules between rugby union and rugby league, some new laws have been created for it. Here is a full explainer of how the game will work.
- 13-a-side – six forwards, seven backs
- Each team can bring on a goal kicker only for kicks at goal
- Unlimited tackles in your own half but six tackles once attacking team passes half way
- Unlimited interchanges
- Uncontested scrums from knock ons and forward passes. These are taken on the 20m mark in from touch, attacking team can select which side of the field scrum is placed
- Uncontested five man line outs when ball goes into touch
- One on one ball steals allowed in tackle before attacking ball carrier gets to ground, once knee to ground, tackle complete, play the ball to restart play
- Two markers at tackle, offside is five metres from the play the ball
- Two referees, one union, one league. One officiating the ruck, the other offside
- Five points for a try, two for a penalty, conversion and drop goal
- If the ball is knocked dead in goal, goal line drop out from the defending team, must go at least ten metres
- Penalties kicked to touch re-start with a line out or take tap from where penalty is awarded, advantage for union but encourages league to attack from penalties
