We are just two days away from the start of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, which means you have less than 48 hours to get your Fantasy Rugby teams up and running.
You’ll be cheering for every tackle and calculating just how many metres forward your chosen XV has gained before you know it once you sign up, with the battle for supremacy sure to be as lively as ever.
Click here for a full explainer as to how it all works and where the points will be handed out – and make sure you sign up here in good time ahead of the weekend.
It can be hard work whittling down your options to select your team, but luckily we’ve got you covered, as we have chosen six must-have backs who will gain you points galore once the Championship gets underway.
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Matthieu Jalibert (France)
So often in Fantasy Rugby, your choice of fly-half is your money maker; the man that is going to be earning you the big points throughout the Championship.
It’s no surprise that these guys are the most expensive players in the game, but at 13.0 stars Matthieu Jalibert is an absolute steal at No.10 for the French outfit this time around.
With Romain Ntamack unavailable to Fabien Galthie, the Bordeaux-Begles man has big boots to fill this year, but some inspiring performances in last year’s Autumn Nations Cup proves that he is more than up to the task of getting points on the board for his country and your team.
France were the Championship’s highest scorers last time around, with 17 tries to their name, and with three points for each conversion or penalty scored, Jalibert could well be the man to see you climb up the Fantasy league table this year.
Jonny May (England)
He may be among the most expensive players in the game at 16.0 stars, but sometimes you have to splash the cash to reap the rewards in the long run, so making a move for Jonny May makes perfect sense.
The Gloucester star is always a man England can rely on to produce the spectacular on the biggest occasions, and it will be no surprise to see him galloping down the flanks once again this time around.
With a brace of tries against France in the 2020 curtain-raiser, we are all well aware of the quality that the 30-year-old possesses, and he gobbles up ground as well as anyone – which will bag you even more points.
With 0.5 points added or taken away according to points difference, having May in your team could bolster your return even further – with the Red Rose claiming Championship success by that exact method last year.
Dan Biggar (Wales)
If you want reliability with the boot, then look no further than Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, who will give you an excellent return from the 15.0 star investment that he is undoubtedly worth.
The 31-year-old only finished behind Romain Ntamack and Johnny Sexton in total points scored in last year’s Championship, as he slotted 16 kicks through the uprights as well as helping himself to two tries in his five outings.
That sort of point-scoring is exactly what you need to be among the leading pack in Fantasy Rugby, and with Wales improving game by game Biggar will no doubt be among the leading marksmen once again in 2021.
Never one to shirk his defensive responsibilities, the Northampton Saints man could also earn you valuable points without the ball, with each tackle worthy of another point to add to your total.
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
He may be new to the international setup, but Duhan van der Merwe is already well-deserving of his 14.0 star price tag, and if you know your onions you’ll have him straight into your XV this year.
The 25-year-old managed just eight minutes of game time in the 2020 Championship, as he came off the bench to make his Scotland debut in the final day clash with Wales in Llanelli.
Since then he has featured three times at the Autumn Nations Cup, where he announced himself fully on the global stage with tries against Italy and Ireland to cap off a trio of barnstorming performances.
The Edinburgh man gained more metres than anybody in the Guinness PRO14 last season, with his rampaging runs on the wing a common sight at BT Murrayfield, and you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll see similar in the coming weeks.
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
He’s back, and he’s ready to make up for lost time.
After missing out on a large portion of 2020 through injury, Garry Ringrose will be looking to make his mark in this year’s Championship, and if you get him in your team early doors, he will turn out to be a worthwhile investment at 15.0 stars.
The Leinster man suffered a finger injury against Scotland last February, before making his return later in the year, only to then suffer a broken jaw in an all-action display against Italy.
But now he is back to full fitness, you can rest assured that he will be carving open defences once again as the action gets underway this weekend, and when he is on form there is no stopping him.
Still only 25 years of age, Ringrose’s relentlessness with ball in hand makes him a constant standout performer for the Men in Green, and he will be looking to add to his two Guinness Six Nations tries over the next six weeks – something you certainly wouldn’t bet against happening.
Monty Ioane (Italy)
With points being awarded for every metre gained by your team, it’s crucial to have a couple of speedsters in your side that will leave a defence for dead as they sidle up the sideline.
With fleet-footed wingers in high demand from Fantasy coaches, it is all about finding value, and for that you have to turn to Italian magician Monty Ioane.
The Benetton Treviso player has proven himself in Pro14 for several years and now has the chance to prove himself on the highest stage, after making his international debut in the Autumn Nations Cup.
At only 11 stars, he is inexpensive and with 24 tries in 51 games for Benetton, he will be a player to watch this weekend for the Italians.
