It’s all about numbers: 745 united to help MND families
The first-ever 745 Game being hosted at Headingley Rugby Stadium on Sunday 17 November takes its name from the numbers worn by rugby league legend, Rob Burrow CBE, rugby union’s former Leicester and Gloucester player Ed Slater and Scottish rugby union legend Doddie Weir.
The game, a hybrid of rugby league and rugby union rules, was an idea that Rob and Ed were developing before Rob died in June this year, aged just 41.
Burrow’s number 7 and Slater’s number 4, along with Doddie’s number 5 will see The 745 Game directly supporting the MND community. The match kicks off at 3pm, with former stars of both codes playing in the groundbreaking game, which could become an annual event to support MND communities across the country.
There’s a strong bond between union and league and both codes of rugby are now united to support an important cause and born out of a heartfelt WhatsApp conversation between two friends facing the same battle with MND almost a year ago. In tribute to Rob, Ed continued to develop the idea.
Funds raised will help further research into treatments and potential cures, and also provide critical support to families living with MND. From funding extensive research to offering monetary grants for essential equipment and supporting smaller MND charities, this game aims to change lives.
Those set to play in the 13-a-side game include former England rugby union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, Matt Banahan, Jordan Crane, Tom Youngs and Tom Wood, who will take on England rugby league internationals like Keith Senior, Adrian Morley, Luke Gale, Paul McShane, Ryan Bailey, Danny McGuire and Gareth Ellis.
Tickets to see this unique game start from just £20 for adults and from £5 for juniors with discounts available for group bookings. All profits from the game will be donated to support the MND community.
Ed Slater’s side will wear a special cherry and white kit designed by Ed’s children while Rob’s rugby league team will wear a kit inspired by the yellow kit designed by Rob’s children back in 2022.
The game will be officiated by a team from both codes led by rugby league referee Ben Thaler and rugby union referee Frank Murphy, who played alongside Ed Slater at Leicester Tigers. The officials will all wear a kit of Doddie Weir’s unmistakable tartan.
Tickets are available at https://tickets.therhinos.co.uk/content and by calling 0371 423 1315 and will be sent no later than 7 days before match day.
