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Headingley to host distinctive cross-code rugby conflict in Rob Burrow’s reminiscence to boost funds for MND


Former England rugby union and rugby league stars will participate in a singular hybrid match at Headingley subsequent month to boost funds to analysis and suppose these residing with Motor Neurone Illness.

The concept for the Sunday November 17 showdown was devised by Rob Burrow and former Gloucester participant Ed Slater, who was identified with MND in 2022, earlier than Burrow handed away on the age of 41 in June.

The ‘745 Sport’ – named for the shirt numbers worn by Burrow, Slater and Scotland nice Doddie Weir, who died in 2022 aged 52 – can be performed beneath a sequence of cross-code guidelines particularly designed for the event.

Former stars of each codes together with ex-England union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Youngs, and league gamers Keith Senior, Adrian Morley and Danny McGuire, are amongst these participating.

The 13-a-side showdown will embrace limitless tackles in your personal half however six after midway, uncontested scrums and line-outs, with 5 factors awarded for a attempt, and two every for a conversion and a drop aim.

Slater stated: “It’s sensible that we’re in a position to put the sport on and I do know all the previous gamers I’ve spoken to are trying ahead to placing their boots again on to help the MND group.

Picture:
The concept for the match got here by way of a dialog between former Gloucester lock Ed Slater (identified with MND in July 2022) and the late Rob Burrow

“It was almost a yr in the past that Rob and I had been speaking about placing this match on and he was actually enthusiastic about seeing it occur. It feels actually becoming that the sport can be at AMT Headingley due to how particular that stadium was for Rob.

“I feel I’ve obtained a reasonably robust rugby union workforce lined up and I do know what the boys are like as soon as they step onto the pitch, that aggressive streak will kick in and I’m anticipated an awesome contest in addition to sensible event.”

Burrow spent his whole profession with Leeds Rhinos, serving to them win eight Tremendous League titles. Following his MND prognosis, he raised thousands and thousands to assist construct a brand new care centre for MND sufferers alongside his buddy and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir and Ed Slater
Picture:
The match can be named The 745 Sport after the shirt numbers worn by Burrow (second from left), Slater (far proper) and Doddie Weir (second from proper)

The fixture will symbolize a brand new growth in matches between the 2 codes. Earlier conferences have concerned halves or complete matches performed beneath established union and league guidelines respectively.

In two matches in 1996, Wigan beat Tub 82-6 beneath league guidelines, earlier than Tub gained the union rematch 44-19. In a match between Sale and St Helens in 2003, the previous constructed up a 41-0 half-time lead beneath union guidelines, earlier than Saints responded with 39 unanswered factors beneath league guidelines after the break.

Tremendous League semi-finals – dwell on Sky Sports activities

Warrington Wolves journey to second-placed Hull KR on this week’s Tremendous League semi-finals, dwell on Sky Sports activities on Friday, whereas Leigh Leopards can be away to League Leaders’ Defend winner Wigan Warriors on Saturday. Each matches are dwell on Sky Sports activities+.

The winners from the semi-finals progress to the Tremendous League Grand Last at Previous Trafford on Saturday October 12, dwell on Sky Sports activities.

Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and can be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this yr at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.