Player ratings from Ed Slater's Rugby Union team at the 745 Game, the charity match raising funds and awareness for MND.
The game took place just a day after the late Rob Burrow’s birthday, with Team Ed Slater representing rugby union up against Team Rob Burrow, made up of rugby league legends.
Welford Road played host to a special afternoon that brought together stars from both codes, with players and supporters joining forces to raise awareness and funds in the fight against MND.
The match used a combination of rugby union and league rules, although it largely followed the union format.
It was an entertaining, end-to-end contest, as you would expect from a charity fixture. In the end, the fitness of the former rugby league players proved decisive as Team Rob Burrow ran out narrow winners.
At the end of the first half, which only lasted 36 minutes, Team Burrow were 24-19 up, before later coming back from a union resurgence to secure a 31-48 win in the end.
The game was fittingly finished off by Rob Burrow's young son, Jackson, who managed to score an impressive try after coming on with just a minute to go, weaving through defenders to finish the game off.
Here are our player ratings for the rugby union side, which featured the likes of Joe Marler, Ben and Tom Youngs, Billy Twelvetrees and many more rugby legends.
Anyone wishing to donate to the 745 Campaign can do so through this link.
Team Ed Slater: 31
Team Rob Burrow: 48
Team Ed Slater player ratings
Starting XIII
Tom Cruse — 9
The former Northampton Saints hooker was absolutely class on the day. Bagged a try after a charge down on the try line, and generally looked in good nick.
Tom Youngs — 7
Joe Marler — 9
A heartwarming moment before kick-off saw Marler embrace Ed Slater before joking about the quality of the game. He then showed he still has plenty of power, making huge carries while dragging multiple defenders with him.
The Traitors star even displayed some soft hands and tried his luck with the boot, although one attack led to a rugby league try. Missed a conversion in true prop fashion.
Showed an impressive turn of pace to cover a kick through late on.
Joe Marler, please never change 🥹
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) September 27, 2026
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Tom Wood — 8
Matt Garvey — 7
Guy Thompson — 8
Matt Cornwell — 7
Johne Murphy — N/A
Joe Simpson — 8
Andy Forsyth — 7
Freddie Clarke — 7
Billy Twelvetrees — 9
Still an absolutely top player. Has the hair to match still, and was one of the standout players on the night.
Ben Youngs — 7
Asked to stop the first half after just 20 minutes and was absolutely blowing. Made a key tackle off the ball to stop a potential try, but his attempts to find another gear quickly ran out of steam. Even managed to gift the rugby league side a lovely pass.
