Leeds Rhinos legends to star in cross-code '745' clash v rugby union icons at Headingley for MND causes

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Leeds Rhinos legends are coming out of retirement to face a union all-stars side at AMT Headingley in a new hybrid version of the sport.

The ‘745 Game’, on Sunday, November 17, will be a mixture of league and union rules and played in tribute to Rhinos icon Rob Burrow. He was developing an idea for a combined version of rugby, along with Gloucester RU player Ed Slater, before his death from motor neurone disease (MND) in June.

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Former Rhinos aces Keith Senior, Adrian Morley, Luke Gale, Paul McShane, Ryan Bailey, Danny McGuire and Gareth Ellis are set to represent league against a union team including England’s Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, Matt Banahan, Jordan Crane, Tom Youngs and Tom Wood. The fixture will be 13-a-side, with match officials from both codes led by recently retired league Ben Thaler and rugby union’s Frank Murphy.

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Leeds Rhinos' Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire with the Super League trophy at Old Trafford in 2017. McGuire will be putting his boots on next month in a hybird rugby game inspired by his former teammate. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Leeds Rhinos' Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire with the Super League trophy at Old Trafford in 2017. McGuire will be putting his boots on next month in a hybird rugby game inspired by his former teammate. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Leeds Rhinos' Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire with the Super League trophy at Old Trafford in 2017. McGuire will be putting his boots on next month in a hybird rugby game inspired by his former teammate. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

All funds raised will be split three ways to directly support the MND community and organisers hope the match could become an annual event in the battle against the terminal illness, which has no known cure. The league side will wear a strip inspired by the yellow kit which Burrow’s children designed in 2022, Slater’s union side will wear a cherry and white outfit designed by his children and the officials don Weir’s tartan.

Tickets are available from 9.30am today (Thursday), beginning at £20 for adults and £5 juniors. Prices will rise by £3 on the day of the game.

745 game rules:

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

Rob Burrow, wife Lindsey and daughters Macy and Maya at Super League's Magic Weekend in 2022. The rugby league side will wear a similar yellow kit in their 745 game against a union legends team. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Rob Burrow, wife Lindsey and daughters Macy and Maya at Super League's Magic Weekend in 2022. The rugby league side will wear a similar yellow kit in their 745 game against a union legends team. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Rob Burrow, wife Lindsey and daughters Macy and Maya at Super League's Magic Weekend in 2022. The rugby league side will wear a similar yellow kit in their 745 game against a union legends team. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

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

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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.

AMT Headingley will stage the first 745 Game on Sunday, November 17. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.AMT Headingley will stage the first 745 Game on Sunday, November 17. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
AMT Headingley will stage the first 745 Game on Sunday, November 17. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Uncontested five man lineouts when the ball goes into touch.

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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.

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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).

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