League/Union cross-code charity game for MND

Headingley will host a cross-code rugby match next month to raise funds to research and support people living with Motor Neurone Disease.

Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow died with the disease at the age of 41 in June and the club said it was "the last fundraising project he worked on before he passed away".

Former Gloucester player Ed Slater, who was diagnosed with MND in 2022, worked with Burrow to devise the concept.

Ex-England union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Youngs, and league players Keith Senior, Adrian Morley and Danny McGuire, are among those taking part in the match on Sunday, 17 November.

The ‘745 Game’ – named for the shirt numbers worn by Burrow, Slater and Scotland great Doddie Weir, who died in 2022 aged 52 – will be played under a series of cross-code rules specifically designed for the occasion.

“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," Slater said.

“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 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 expect a great contest as well as a brilliant occasion.”

The 13-a-side match will include unlimited tackles in your own half but six after halfway, uncontested scrums and line-outs, with five points awarded for a try, and two each for a conversion and a drop goal.

The fixture will represent a new development in matches between the two codes.

Previous meetings have involved halves or whole matches played under established union and league rules respectively.

In two matches in 1996, Wigan beat Bath 82-6 under league rules, before Bath won the union rematch 44-19.

In a match between Sale and St Helens in 2003, the former built up a 41-0 half-time lead under union rules, before Saints responded with 39 unanswered points under league rules after the break.

13-a-side - six forwards, seven backs.

Each team can bring on a kicker, only for attempts at goal.

Unlimited tackles in the attacking team’s half, but six tackles once they pass half way.

Unlimited interchanges.

Uncontested scrums from knock-ons and forward passes, taken on the 20 metre mark in from touch. The attacking team can select which side of the field scrum is placed.

Uncontested five man lineouts when the ball goes into touch.

One-on-one ball steals are allowed in the tackle before the attacking ball carrier gets to ground; once his knee goes to ground the tackle is complete and a play-the-ball restarts play.

Two markers at the 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 or drop goal.

If the ball is knocked dead in goal, the goalline drop-out from the defending team must go at least 10 metres.

Penalties kicked to touch re-start with a lineout, or teams can take a tap from where the penalty is awarded (advantage for union but encourages league to attack from penalties).