ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Huge stars announced for league/union mixed game

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Thursday Oct 3, 2024

Leeds Rhinos have announced an amazing hybrid rugby match at AMT Headingley in November to help raise awareness, funds and support for those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

ADVERTISEMENT

The idea for the occasion was originally devised by former Leeds Rhinos player, Rob Burrow and former Gloucester player Ed Slater. Having both been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, they felt that the match should be known as the ‘745 Game’, in honour of the shirt numbers worn by Burrow, Slater and Scotland great Doddie Weir.

Sadly, Burrow and Weir are no longer with us, but their friend Ed Slater continues to fight for the cause.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Slater said: “It is brilliant that we are able to put the game on and I know all the former players I have spoke to are looking forward to putting their boots back on to support the MND community.

“It was nearly a year ago that Rob and I were talking about putting this match on and he was really excited about seeing it happen. It feels really fitting that the game will be at AMT Headingley because of how special that stadium was for Rob.

“I think I have got a pretty strong rugby union team lined up and I know what the boys are like once they step onto the pitch, that competitive streak will kick in and I am expecting a great contest as well as a brilliant occasion.”

Ed Slater and Billy Twelvetrees after completing an incredible 350-mile cycle ride in 24 hours in aid of MND
ADVERTISEMENT

The match itself will showcase both league and union stars in a mixed-rules event, taking various aspects from both games. For example, the league team size of 13 players will be implemented, alongside uncontested scrums and lineouts.

There will be unlimited tackles in a team’s own half, but once the team exceeds the halfway line then a try needs to be scored within six phases, otherwise the ball gets handed over.

Five points will be awarded for a try, two for a conversion and two for a drop goal.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Ex-Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Kevin Sinfield (R) speaks with former teammate Rob Burrow after completing his Extra Mile Challenge at Emerald Headingley Stadium on November 23, 2021 in Leeds, England. Sinfield aims to run 101 miles in 24 hours in aid of motor neurone disease research. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Fans attending the match can look forward to seeing many of their favourite stars from both sides of the rugby coin, with many big names having already put their initials down on the teamsheets.

Ex-England rugby union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Youngs are all expected to play, while rugby league legends Keith Senior, Adrian Morley and Danny McGuire will also lace up their boots.

Prices are incredibly reasonable, with the lowest priced tickets costing just £5, and the most expensive being only £25.

Just recently, Billy Twelvetrees, Jim Hamilton, Ed Slater and many more were involved in an incredible cycle ride in which Twelvetrees rode 350 miles in just 24 hours, raising over £100k for MND.

At the time, Jim Hamilton spoke exclusively to RugbyDump, saying: “It didn’t really sound hard when we put it to the group, so we all agreed. But, once we got on the bike we realised the speed at which we had to go was 15-17 mph non-stop for 24 hours, and we kind of realised how difficult it was because that is a fast pace.

“It was phenomenal, the band of brothers back together, the kind of brotherhood, the spirit that everyone put into it. I did the first leg but the night shift I heard was really tough, but as Billy told us before, the physical pain that he was going to go through is nothing compared to what Ed and his family are going through.

“We’ve seen people doing great things, Kevin Sinfield to name one, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and within the two years of the 350 miles that we did, we’ve lost both Doddie and Rob Burrow, so Ed feels like now it’s his duty to fly the flag for the MND community, to raise the profile. We raised £100,000 in the time in which we did the fundraiser, a phenomenal effort.”

Prior to his fight with MND, Burrow had become a club legend with Leeds Rhinos, winning eight Super League championships and two Challenge Cups. He was also named in the Super League Dream Team on three occasions and won the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice.

His final match was the 2017 Super League Grand Final in which he helped his club take victory over the Castleford Tigers at Old Trafford.

Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

Related Articles

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    NRL star Joseph Suaalii Sparks Excitement Ahead of Rugby Union Debut

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Leicester Tigers fire back at RFU over Cheika allegations

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    'It's as low as you can get' - Former Ireland hooker slams Reiko Ioane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 131 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All