ESPN fantasy rugby returns for 2018

ESPN has launched its Fantasy Rugby game ahead of the start of the 2018 Natwest 6 Nations on Saturday 3rd February.

The completely free fantasy game – supported by editorial coverage on ESPN.co.uk – allows fans to pick their XV, create and join leagues with their friends.

Wasps and England fly-half Danny Cipriani will be the face of this year’s game providing his very own insight on the tournament and setting up the ESPN Fantasy XV and ‘Challenge Cipriani’ mini-league so players of the game can pit their wits against him.

Players can now select up to two teams each, all while competing for a range of prizes; with this year’s overall leader after five-game weeks winning a 13″ Apple MacBook Pro and a weekly winner taking home an Apple Watch Series 3. The game is the biggest in the UK, with more than 100,000 users.

As all six teams build towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the games in this year’s Six Nations take on added importance for the fans, players and coaches alike. The tournament will see favourites England aim for a third successive Six Nations title, a feat that no side has achieved since the tournament expanded to six teams in 2000.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Stuart Hogg will be aiming to win an unprecedented third consecutive player of the tournament award, which would see him equal Brian O’Driscoll, who has won the award a record three times.

Second favourites Ireland will be looking to build on the success of their provincial sides who all sit top of their Champions Cup pools after five rounds of games. Joe Schmidt’s side is the only team to beat England under Eddie Jones and will look to repeat last year’s result in the final round of fixtures, which this year falls on Saint Patrick’s Day.

ESPN.co.uk will of course have extensive digital coverage of this year’s tournament online and on mobile.

“ESPN’s Fantasy Rugby game is the biggest in the UK and continues to grow from strength to strength. There’s a deep mine of statistics and strategy to delve into for rugby experts, while it’s easy to play for casual fans. With the chance to challenge Danny Cipriani and win great prizes, there is no better way to get involved with the Six Nations. Alongside our in-depth coverage online and on the ESPN app, ESPN is the ultimate home of international rugby.” – Charly Classen, ESPN Vice President & General Manager, EMEA, South Asia & Australia/New Zealand

fantasyrugby.espn.co.uk