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The 745 Game line-up 2026: Confirmed teams including Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler

Your complete guide to the former rugby league and union players in the line-ups for The 745 Game in 2026.

Joe Marler, in a red and black plaid shirt, flexes his muscles and makes a face in front of a red background.

(Photo by Danny North/Comic Relief/Getty Images)

Published: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 10:00 am

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As long as rugby is played, the league v union debate will rage on. Legends of the two codes will go head-to-head this weekend in The 745 Game – albeit for a good cause.

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The charity match returns for a third year, this time at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, which is the home of Leicester Tigers, to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease.

Created in tribute to Rob Burrow (no. 7), Ed Slater (no. 4), and Doddie Weir (no. 5) and born from an idea first discussed by Burrow and Slater, all proceeds from The 745 Game go to their three respective foundations – the Rob Burrow Discretionary Trust, 4ED Foundation, and My Name's Doddie Foundation.

It may bring both rugby communities together but make no mistake, both Team Slater, which is made up of former rugby union players, and Team Burrow, which is a host of famous faces from rugby league, will be desperate to come out on top in the 13-a-side modified-rules exhibition match.

Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler, his former England teammate Ben Youngs, and Great Britain icon Adrian Morley are set to lace up their boots, but who else will be taking to the pitch at Welford Road?

Radio Times outlines full list of former players involved in The 745 Game 2026.

Who is playing in The 745 Game 2026?

The full squads have now been confirmed by The 745 Game ahead of kick-off on Sunday.

Team Burrow is made up of former rugby league players, while Team Slater is ex-rugby union players.

Team Burrow line-up

Team Burrow, in yellow and blue rugby kit, walk out at The 745 Game 2024.

Team Burrow © The 745 Game/MATTHEW MERRICK PHOTOGRAPHY The 745 Game/MATTHEW MERRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

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Team Slater line-up

Two players, in red and black rugby kit, on the pitch at The 745 Game.

Team Slater. Credit: Luke Hastings Luke Hastings

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Ned Holmes, smiling against a lime green background.

Ned Holmes

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.

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