BOOKIES HUMBLED AS IRELAND WIN 2005 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

The most advanced rugby simulator on computer predicts Ireland victory – pre-tournament favorites England humiliated into third place

The most statistically accurate and advanced rugby management game ever created has calculated the outcome of the 2005 Six Nations Championship in advance of a ball being kicked – and England rugby fans should prepare for disappointment come the tournament's conclusion.

Pro Rugby Manager 2 has revealed that unbeaten Ireland will top the table on March 19th, pipping France by two points overall. England, despite scoring the most points throughout the tournament, scrape into a lowly third place – with Scotland and wooden spoon winners Italy propping up the bottom of the table.

The full and final table is as follows:

• W D L For Ag Pts

• Ireland 5 0 0 119 54 10

• France 4 0 1 139 90 8

• England 3 0 2 164 70 6

• Wales 2 0 3 85 101 4

• Scotland 1 0 4 41 136 2

• Italy 0 0 5 58 155 0

According to Pro Rugby Manager 2, key games will be on Sunday 23th February, when France beat England 29-27 with a late drop goal. Two weeks later, Ireland will triumph over England by an even slimmer margin: 13-12. On 12th March, the Championship decider between Ireland and France will go in the favour of the Irish, 28-24. The same day, England will inflict embarrassment on Italy, with the tournament's greatest winning margin: 64-9.

These predictions will instil fear in the minds of the bookies, who currently have Ireland as 3/1 to win, behind France (7/4) and England (6/4). However, they have given Italy the respect they deserve in advance of kick-off, listing them as 500/1 outsiders to win the Six Nations. They won't.

"We were surprised Pro Rugby Manager 2 predicted England will perform so poorly," says Terry Malham, Commercial Director, Digital Jesters, publisher of Pro Rugby Manager 2, "but the conclusion should not be ignored as the game uses the current, most accurate statistics available. Hopefully this will encourage the team to play above their potential – particularly in the France and Ireland matches. However, if England do slip up, rugby fans will be able to use the game to tinker with the team as they see fit – and ensure that the Six Nations are won virtually, if not in real life."

Pro Rugby Manager 2 will published by Digital Jesters on February 25th 2005 for PC CD-ROM, priced £34.99.

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