- The two teams will compete in a cross-code charity match to raise funds for the Department of Defense.
- Rob Burrow and Ed Slater first came up with the game plan.
- Leeds Rhinos legend Burrow was heroically defeated in a battle with the Ministry of Defense last June.
Gloucester and Leeds Rhinos have joined forces to create a cross-code rugby match featuring legends from both clubs to raise funds to help fight motor neuron disease.
Both clubs were hit with the disease. Rugby league and Rhinos legend Rob Burrow sadly lost his heroic battle with the Ministry of Defense earlier this year.
Former Gloucester and Leicester Lock player Ed Slater, who played 15-a-side, also suffered the same diagnosis, which led to his retirement in 2022.
On November 17, the two clubs will come together for a match that will mix league and union rules.
The idea was first developed in a conversation between Burrow and Slater before he tragically passed away in June at the age of just 41. The game’s unique name, The 745 Game, comes from the numbers worn by Burrow (7) and Slater (4) during the game. They spent their careers alongside Scottish rugby union legend Doddie Weir (5).
Rob Burrow helped put the game together before he died from motor neurone disease in June.
Ed Slater also helped plan the cross-code game after receiving the same Pentagon diagnosis that led to his retirement in 2022.
Former England international Danny Cipriani (pictured) is also one of the players who will play in this match.
Weir also suffered from Pentagon before his death in 2022. Both Gloucester and Leeds hope the match will become an annual event supporting the Ministry of Defense community across the country.
The cross-code match will bring back memories for some fans of meetings between Bath and Wigan in the 1990s. However, the match at Headingley on November 17 will feature former players rather than currently active players.
Players set to feature in the 13-a-side competition include former England Rugby Union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, Matt Banahan, Jordan Crane, Tom Youngs and Tom Wood.
They will face England rugby league internationals such as Keith Senior, Adrian Morley, Luke Gale, Paul McShane, Ryan Bailey, Danny McGuire and Gareth Ellis.
Tickets to see this unique game start from £20 for adults and £5 for teenagers, with all proceeds going to the fight against the Ministry of Defense.
