Almost 30 years after the famous Clash of the Codes, Gary Connolly is doing it all again in aid of his late pal Rob Burrow and MND.
Back in 1996, the decorated Great Britain centre lined up for star-studded Wigan in their cross-code challenge with union giants Bath. Martin Offiah scored six tries as Wigan walloped their rivals 82-6 in the league game at Maine Road. But matters were much closer under union rules when Bath, with England internationals Mike Catt, Phil de Glanville and Andy Robinson, prospered 44-19 at Twickenham.
Greats from both codes are coming together again at Headingley on Sunday to play a new hybrid version of rugby called the 745 Game. It stemmed from an idea of ex-Gloucester forward Ed Slater, who is battling MND, and former Leeds ace Burrow, who sadly died from the condition in June aged just 41. Connolly, who featured in two World Cup finals, played alongside Burrow for Rhinos in 2003 and 2004.
He recalled: “Rob was awesome. It was an honour to play with him. People ask me who’s the toughest person I ever played with and, don't get me wrong, I’d pick guys like Adrian Morley. But they’re all six foot five. I always reckoned the toughest are people like Rob and Jason Robinson, small guys who have to take one big lads every day and still don’t miss a tackle.
“But this game’s not just for Rob. It’s for everyone. There’s been lots of league and union players suffer from this terrible disease. You wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy. It’s definitely worth putting the boots back on and getting hurt again for an hour or so, compared to a lifetime for those who come down with MND.”
Connolly, now 53, will face the likes of ex-England stars Danny Cipriani and Billy Twelvetrees. But in 1996, him, Robinson, Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards, Henry Paul and co all pitted their wits against union’s best, not long after the 15-man code turned pro’. Connolly, who had a brief stint with Harlequins before joining Leeds and later played for Munster, remembered: “It was my first game of union aside from the Middlesex Sevens.
“We did a bit of training but just couldn’t do line-outs. On our scrums we did OK but we knew in the line-outs we just couldn’t compete. That was a massive disadvantage. But every single player enjoyed it and was a bit disappointed we didn’t do better in the union game. We picked the wrong team. Our coach [Graeme West] and assistant [Joe Lydon], who’d not played for years, both played just because they’d played a bit of rugby union. They did OK. We went for that experience.
"But really we should have just played our strongest team and gone for it. In the second half we just said let’s play rugby league; let’s not try to play union against a union team. When we threw the ball about we had a bit of success. And full credit to Bath because if they’d have just wanted to ruck and maul us they could have done but they tried to play some rugby which suited us."
Since Wigan faced Bath, of course, many of the side involved in those games have gone on to make their mark in union, not least Robinson, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, current Ireland boss Farrell and France defence coach Edwards. Farrell and Paul also both played for England. Connolly added: "There was a lot of rugby union influences in Wigan. We had the great Va'aiga Tuigamala playing for us and Scott Quinnell who was an absolute legend in rugby union so that did help. But I’d say about 80 percent of our side had never played union.
"But obviously the game in union, especially with the likes of Faz and Shaun Edwards coaching, and others like [Wales defence coach] Mike Forshaw, they now have rugby league guys who’ve done a tremendous job. It’s bonded the gap between union and league because, back then, the press said there was massive divides. But, honestly, there wasn’t anything from a player perspective. When we met the union players on different occasions they were great with us and vice versa. There was massive respect. That’s how it should be."
Connolly, meanwhile, played 33 games for Rhinos, before leaving in May 2004. That was shortly after Tony Smith arrived as head coach and just a few months before the club won their first league title in 32 years with the likes of Burrow, Kevin Sinfield and Danny McGuire running the show.
Connolly, who had reverted to his old position of full-back, lost his spot to youngster Richie Mathers. But the player, who won the Lance Todd Trophy when Rhinos lost the 2003 Challenge Cup final to Bradford, insisted: "I really enjoyed my time at Leeds. It wasn’t my fault it was cut short. It was the coach at the time. He didn’t really want me there so I just made it easier for him and I left.
"I was gutted about that as I was leaving a team that went on to dominate which I knew they would as the talent there was unbelievable. I still go over there, see still quite a few Leeds players and friends with a lot. I’m looking forward to going back this weekend."