Referee Thaler backs 745 Game to have lasting legacy

Retired Rugby League referee Ben Thaler thinks this Sunday's inaugural 745 Game could be the start of an annual coming together of the codes for good causes, similar to how SoccerAid has become a big part of the football calendar in the UK.

Former Leeds Rhinos players Danny McGuire, Kylie Leuluai, Keith Senior, Gareth Ellis and Luke Gale have all put their hands up to play in the game and will take on stars of Rugby Union, including Danny Cipriani, Geordan Murphy, Billy Twelvetrees and Matt Banahan.

The game, which will be a hybrid of Rugby League and Rugby Union rules, was an idea that Burrow and former Leicester and Gloucester Rugby Union player Ed Slater were developing before Burrow passed away in June this year, aged just 41. 

The distinctive name for the match, The 745 Game, comes from the numbers worn by Burrow (7) and Slater (4) along with Scottish Rugby Union legend Doddie Weir (5). The match itself, which will kick off at 3pm, will see former stars of both codes come together for the ground breaking clash, which is hoped could become an annual event to support MND communities across the country. 

The Laws of the Game were initially created by Rob Burrow and Ed Slater and have been extended ahead of the historic clash. The match will have two referees, Ben Thaler from Rugby League and Frank Murphy from Rugby Union.  

Book your tickets now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk