In the pouring rain under the lights, an incredible occasion took place as Ed Slater’s rugby union faced Rob Burrows rugby league as both sports combined to raise awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).
Over £100,00 was raised for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) which was the fundraising target set for the event. Ed Slater was in attendance, with huge cheers coming from all fans around Kingsholm, after he announced his MND diagnosis in 2022.
Read below the article below from The National Brain Appeal to find out what MND is and how it affects people.
A truly touching moment was the match ball being delivered by Ed Slater, Frank Slater and Jackson Burrow. A heartfelt moment which got huge of applause from the 9,000+ in Gloucester to watch.
Doddy Weirs son Ben Weir had the last say of the game as he scored the last try, which was a great occasion for all rugby fans.
It was Union who had the first chance of the game, with League making a mistake in the backline, Slaters side managed to grubber the ball through but Alex Lewington spilt it over the line! A minute later, League sliced through the Union defence with ex Huddersfield Giant Leroy Cudjoe touching down for the first points of the game, with the extras being added to make it seven.
An early substitution was needed for Union, with ex Leicester Tiger Geordan Murphy laughing off of the field in the very early stages of the game.
The second score of the game also came from Rob Burrow’s league side. Wayne Price managed to pick up a bouncing ball that Charlie Sharples flung back into play and charge down the wing to dot down.
There were some thumping tackles in the early stages, with Tom Youngs and TV personality Joe Marler being right at the centre of those dominant collisions.
A third try came for team Burrow as Ryan Atkins executed a wonderfully executed chip and chase over the Union back line to make it 19-0 to League. More points for team Burrow came as they charged down the left wing, Charlie Sharples was beat around the outside and Mark Flanagan dotted down for the fourth try of the game, making it team Burrow 26-0 team Slater after the conversion was easily added.
Over £100,000 has been raised at tonight’s 745 Game at Kingsholm with Rob Burrow’s league side taking the win pic.twitter.com/uo71mXq7VI
— Greatest Hits Radio Gloucester News (@GHRGloucester) November 9, 2025
After the long wait for team Slater, Kingsholm erupted as they scored. Lee Dickson had the awareness and brains to tap and go and sprint the rest of the pitch, once he started, nobody was stopping him. Although he looked a little out of gas at the end, he got team Slater their first points of the match. This made it league 26-7 union at half-time in an exciting and open game of rugby.
Five minutes into the second half, it was Union who flourished again. Tom Youngs threw in at the lineout and turned it into an unstoppable driving maul which Matt Banahan was on the end of, no shock to still see him scoring tries! Just minutes after, Josh Griffin jumped out of the line and intercepted, running 60 metres to score team Burrows fifth try of the evening.
A looping cross-field kick set up Leagues next try with Jermaine McGillvary collecting the ball and brushing off Matt Bannahan to go sidestepping under the sticks. There’s a reason McGillvary has 196 league tries to his name! This made the scores league 40-14 union. Another quick try came to extend Leagues lead further, with union tiring out. However, a fast try from kick off saw union adding their third of the game with Owain James regathering a bouncing ball from kick off and strolling over the whitewash. Was their still time for Slaters team?
After not wanting to run into his opposite man on multiple occasions, jokingly falling to the floor instead of taking contact. Matt Banahan stormed in for his second try of the afternoon, charging down the wing and sliding across the try-line, getting another back for union. Minutes after, team Slater scored again through a good old-fashioned driving maul, with Ed Williamson at the back of it. Gloucester rugby legend Billy Twelvetrees missed the conversion with his first touch of the game which meant the score was 45-31.
Union got even closer as Joe Simpson carved through the leagues defence, he then flung a pass wide to team-mate Owan James who had a walk in to score his second in the 78th minute of the game, Twelvetrees made no mistake with the extras, meaning their were only seven points in it with a minute to spare.
Owain James scores for Team Slater after Simpson curves brilliantly against the defense!
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 9, 2025
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In the last play of the game, Doddy Weir’s son Ben Weir scored for team Slater after many phases of team Slater’s efforts. However, the nerve wracking conversion to draw the game was missed which meant the game ended 45-43 to team Burrow. It was a fitting end to the game as Ben Weir got his try for team Slater, but team Burrow were the better side and definitely deserved to take the win.
Son of the inspirational Doddie Weir, Ben is left speechless, sharing just how incredible events like this charity game are ❤️
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 9, 2025
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It was a brilliant ending to a game which meant more than just a game of rugby. Over £100,000 was raised for MND, the cruel disease in which all of these players came together to fight and raise money for. To see Ed Slater doing the rounds of Kingsholm at the end with his wife and his kids was an extremely special and emotional memory in which will live in many rugby fans hearts for a long time.
If you wish to donate, there is a link below to Ed Slater’s charity 4Ed. Any donation would be greatly appreciated by the rugby world to help those living with MND.
