The 745 Game 2026 rules: Rugby league and rugby union combined format explained

Always wanted to see who would win in a cross-code match between rugby league and union players? Well, Sunday is your lucky day.

The 745 Game will bring the rugby community together and pit legends from the sport's two codes against each other in a 13-a-side match at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The charity match, which is a tribute to Rob Burrow (no. 7), Ed Slater (no. 4), and Doddie Weir (no. 5), returns for a third year to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease.

• Watch The 745 Game 2026 live on TNT Sports via HBO Max on Amazon Prime Video and Sky Sports

The 745 Game is a hybrid of rugby league and union rules, which were developed by Burrow and Slater, originally dreamed up in a WhatsApp conversation between the pair.

Famous faces from both codes will take to the pitch this weekend in the third edition of the fixture but what exactly are the rules for the cross-code charity match?

Radio Times has broken down the format of The 745 Game.

The charity match, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 from 5:30pm on Sunday 27 September 2026, is cross-code and combines rules from both rugby league and rugby union.

The rules are as follows:

• The game is 13-a-side, with each team fielding six forwards and seven backs. Each team is able to bring on a goal kicker only for kicks at goal.
• Unlimited interchanges (a substitution where a player is replaced but can later come back on) are allowed.
• Only six tackles are allowed before possession turns over, regardless of field position.
• Uncontested scrums from knock-ons and forward passes. These are taken on the 20m mark in from touch and the attacking team can select which side of the field the scrum is placed.
• Uncontested five-man line-outs when the ball goes into touch.
• One-on-one ball steals are allowed in tackle before the attacking ball carrier gets to ground. Once the knee touches the ground, the tackle is complete and the attacking team must play the ball to restart play. The tackled player must present the ball on the ground. At least one attacking player must go over the ball before it can be played away or passed from the tackle area.
• Two markers at tackle. Offside is five metres from the play of the ball.
• Two referees – one union and one league. One will officiate the ruck and the other offside.
• The scoring will be five points for a try and two for a penalty, conversion, or drop goal.
• If the ball is knocked dead in goal, it results in a goal-line drop-out for the defending team, which must go at least ten metres.
• Penalties kicked to touch re-start with a lineout or take tap from where the penalty is awarded, advantage for union but encourages league to attack from penalties

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Authors

Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.