After a pulsating opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, three thrilling fixtures await in what promises to be the most competitive weekend so far.
Italy will host Scotland on Saturday with both teams winless after two weeks, with the Azzurri hoping to win their first Championship game in the since 2015.
Later on, France will look to maintain their good form under new coach Fabien Galthié as they travel to Cardiff to play Wales, before on Sunday Ireland head to Twickenham in the hope of sealing the Triple Crown.
CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE OFFICIAL GUINNESS SIX NATIONS FANTASY RUGBY GAME
The Official Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Game also makes its return, with tables to be climbed and the battle for supremacy continuing for those watching at home.
We’ve picked out five star backs who’ll take your team from strength to strength as we get a another feast of international rugby after a week away from the action.
Virimi Vakatawa
Vakatawa missed France’s victory over Italy with a tricep injury sustained early on against England in their opening match of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, but by all accounts, the outside centre is a star of the global game.
The Racing 92 flyer will likely come up against Welsh centre Nick Tompkins this weekend, who struggled defensively in Dublin last time out, and Vakatawa will look to exert similar dominance at the Principality Stadium as France seek their first Guinness Six Nations title since 2010.
At 15.2 stars he’s expensive, but should Vakatawa perform to the potential that he has proven in the shirt of both club and country in the past, he’ll be a significant factor in possible fantasy success for your side.
Stuart Hogg
The newly appointed Scotland captain has endured a troublesome start to his reign, with high-profile errors contributing to two consecutive losses to begin this year’s Championship.
But Hogg has been in inspired form for new club side Exeter Chiefs this season, dominating Premiership defences from full-back as his team have stormed to the top of the table, and the 27-year-old scored a dazzling solo try on his return to domestic action against Gloucester last Friday.
Though Hogg’s fantasy returns have been modest so far – 44.6 points across the two games – he’ll be a threat all-over the field in Rome this weekend against an Italy defence that France were able to break through with relative ease in their 35-22 victory last time out.
Bundee Aki
Aki has been one of the Championship’s stars so far, with his combination of playmaking skills and power in attack proving too tricky for opposition defences to cope with. Add that to his powerful defensive ability, his value to Ireland’s backline is clear to see.
The Connacht centre will return to the scene of Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam victory this weekend, where he will hope to dominate an England team whose centre partnership looks unclear as Manu Tuilagi returns from injury.
The 29-year-old is one of the most expensive centres in the game, costing 15.1 stars, but the 106.9 points he’s accrued over the Championship so far – more than any other midfielder – should see a significant return on your investment this weekend at Twickenham.
Tomos Williams
Amid the excitement around Rhys Webb’s return to international rugby, Williams has asserted himself as a starter in Wayne Pivac’s new-look Wales team.
After starring against Italy with his vision and kicking skills, the Cardiff Blues scrum half scored a brilliant try in Dublin with a pacey support-line.
Few would’ve expected him to displace the energetic Gareth Davies in the starting team, but Williams has secured the No.9 shirt and will face Antoine Dupont in a clash for the ages in Cardiff on Saturday.
Williams has picked up 71.2 points so far – more than any other scrum half aside from Dupont – and will only set you back 12.2 stars. One of the cheaper options in the game, the 25-year-old is excellent value for money if you’re keeping a close eye on your budget.
Adam Hastings
Few would’ve expected Hastings to look as composed as he has done after stepping into the void left by Finn Russell before the Championship began.
But Hastings has history replacing Russell – he was the man given the Glasgow fly-half shirt after his predecessor’s move to Racing in 2018 – and has looked at home in a Scottish jersey.
Hastings controlled the game well against Ireland before doing his level best in the storm at BT Murrayfield in the 13-6 defeat to England. He’s shown flashes of brilliance so far, and will see the Italy game this weekend as his opportunity to display the attacking quality that followers of the Guinness Pro14 will have seen consistently.
At only 11.6 stars, he is also significantly cheaper than almost all other fly-halves, and could free up space elsewhere to sign some other Guinness Six Nations stars.
