Luke Gale Suggests Annual Status for Cross-Code MND Charity Match

Following the death of Rob Burrow in June, Leeds Rhinos honored him by displaying his name and number on the Headingley pitch. Luke Gale, a former half-back for Leeds Rhinos, has expressed his wish for Sunday’s cross-code rugby match at Headingley, organized to support individuals with Motor Neurone Disease, to become a yearly fixture. The concept for the event was developed by Rob Burrow, a Rhinos legend who passed away at 41 in June, in collaboration with Ed Slater, a former Gloucester player diagnosed with MND in 2022. This 13-a-side contest, known as the ‘745 Game’, derives its name from the shirt numbers of Burrow, Slater, and Scotland’s renowned Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 at 52. The game will adhere to a unique set of cross-code rules created specifically for this event. “We’ve seen many events that go year after year and build up a head of steam,” Gale told BBC Radio Leeds. “I’ve seen no reason this can’t be an event at Headingley every year, it’s a great stadium for it. Let’s make it an occasion every year.” “It’s a great cause and it’s an exciting game. There’s some great names involved. It’s a mouthwatering clash.” Former Rugby League player Luke Gale shared his thoughts on the inaugural 745 Game. Among the participants in the match are former England rugby union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, and Tom Youngs, alongside rugby league players Keith Senior, Adrian Morley, and Danny McGuire. The game’s rules will feature unlimited tackles within one’s own half, but a limit of six tackles once past halfway. Scrums and line-outs will be uncontested. A try will be worth five points, while a conversion and a drop-goal will each award two points. Gale, who concluded his playing career at the close of the 2024 season after contributing to Wakefield’s Championship title victory, expressed anticipation for the upcoming challenge. “I’m coaching the Wakefield academy now so I might jump in with their session later to crisp up my skills,” the 36-year-old said. “I’m a big fan of Cipriani. I think he could have been a gun in rugby league because he has a rarely seen skillset. I’m excited to go up against him.” He added: “It’s win at all costs. It’ll be good craic but as soon as we play a game, it could be chess or tiddlywinks, winning is the name of the game.” Last month, Ed Slater, accompanied by Billy Twelvetrees, observed his former clubs, Leicester and Gloucester, as they played for the Ed Slater Cup. Gale progressed through the Rhinos academy system but departed prior to making a senior appearance, as Burrow occupied the half-back role. Gale later rejoined Headingley in 2019, leading the team to triumph in the 2020 Challenge Cup final. Burrow, who retired in 2017, had an outstanding career with Leeds, securing eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges, and two Challenge Cups. Gale stated that Burrow would be “proud” to witness the realization of the event. “When Rob and Ed spoke about this they wanted to showcase both codes and they’ve got everyone out of retirement.” he said. “I knew Rob and his family. I played the same number as him at this great club. It’s in your heart.” “I think he’d be proud knowing it was going on this weekend.” “He’d probably have been thinking he could score a few against some of the bigger union lads. I’m not sure how they would have handled him!”