Super League legend has some trepidation about his playing comeback but admitted: “I’ll be arguing with refs again in no time!”

The ex- and England ace returns to Headingley on Sunday in circumstances he could rarely have imagined. Castleford's newly-installed boss lines up in theaimed at raising money for those living with motor neurone disease. Ex-Gloucester and Leicester lock Ed Slater, who is battling the condition, dreamed up the idea with Rob Burrow, McGuire’s long-time Rhinos team-mate who sadly lost his battle with the cruel disease in June.

McGuire, who finished his glorious playing career in Hull KR colours in 2019, said: “I am looking forward to it, what the game means and stands for and awareness trying to raise and funds for Rob, Doddie [Weir] and Ed what the game means for everyone involved really.

“In that sense I’m excited. In the sense of it being a proper game I’ll be a bit apprehensive and a bit nervous. Obviously, it’s the first time for a while I’ve played a full contact type game so there’s element of nerves. But once you get out there and get into it, the juices will probably flow again and I’ll start getting competitive. I’ll probably be throwing my arms about and arguing with the referee like I used to.”

Some of the rules in the new-fangled game, which organisers hope will become an annual event to raise funds for MND charities, include unlimited tackles in your own half but six tackles once the attacking team passes halfway. There will also be uncontested five-man line-outs when the ball goes into touch and goalkickers will be brought on only to kick at goal. McGuire, 41, said: “I’ve had a glance over the rules.

“It feels fairly straight forward and once we’re into the rhythm it’ll be fine, I’m sure. At the end of the day, league and union are two very different games. It will take some getting used to but the bigger picture is we’re there to have a bit of fun and try to entertain the crowd that are turning up.

“Hopefully it’s not too serious. That’ll be hard as both teams are quite proud and want to win so it will get competitive. But we’ll adapt and I’m sure it’ll be an interesting watch.”

Former England rugby union internationals , Tom Wood, Tom Youngs and Billy Twelvetrees are all set to feature. McGuire will be joined by many of his golden generation Rhinos colleagues including Keith Senior and Gareth Ellis plus Man of Steel winners Luke Gale and Paul McShane as well as Hall of Famer Adrian Morley.

He also recalled how he had the chance to switch codes. McGuire, who won eight Grand Finals with Leeds, said: “I had a couple of opportunities. There was one around 2005 or 2006 when Eddie Jones was at Saracens. It was hard as I was always happy and content at Rhinos and always in contract.

“The opportunity popped up but I never pushed for it. When you’re doing something you love every day you don’t seek anything else, really. It got presented to me but it didn’t really go anywhere. And I’m not sure my role would have fitted [union]. I don’t know what position would have suited me.

“I was instinctive. I’d played the game since I was five, knew where to be, who to support and my understanding of union would have taken some time. I might have maybe made a full-back or centre but I’m a rugby league lad at heart and have no regrets.”

Tickets for the 745 Game are available now at and by calling 0371 423 1315