You’ve logged on to the official Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby game, you’ve picked a world-beating starting XV but are unsure about what to do with your bench and may not even know what a Supersub is.
Never fear – we’re here to help you out once more.
This week, we’ve given a selection of top tips ahead of the three tantalising fixtures – sharing our must-have backs as well as our must-have forwards who we believe merit selection in your team and provided an overall fantasy preview ahead of Round 2.
Now let’s talk Supersub, starting with the basics – what on earth is it?
As you know, your starting XV earn you points for their play on the field, while your designated captain earns double points (plus a bonus 20).
Get your Fantasy Rugby Round 2 team sorted now!
The players on your substitute bench will earn you half their points – with the exception of your Supersub.
Whichever player you designate as Supersub will have his points TRIPLED if, and only if, he comes on a substitute during his real match! If he starts the match or does not play, his points will be divided by two, as for all the other substitutes.
So how can you take advantage of this? Well, the first thing to do – now that we know each team’s starting XV for Round 2, and more importantly their replacements – is to make sure your Supersub is someone who is on the bench in real life but has a good chance of racking up points if they come on.
There are big points up for grabs here, so don’t overlook your Supersub. Here are the top five Supersubs from Round 1, just to whet your appetite.
As you can see, Wales back-rower Josh Navidi (who came off the bench early on in place of the injured Dan Lydiate against Ireland) would have earned you a whopping 126.9 points if he was your Supersub.
Is that the sort of points haul you can afford to turn down if you want to finish above your mates…? Thought not.
Had you had Navidi as a regular substitute on your bench he would have scored a solid, if uninspiring 21.1 points, or a decent 42.3 points in your starting XV but as a Supersub, he suddenly becomes one of the highest scorers from Round 1.
So who should be your Supersub in Round 2? Here are three suggestions for you to consider – or, alternatively, go with your gut and pick someone else.
Teddy Thomas (France)
He’s not cheap at 17.5 stars but Teddy Thomas has found himself benched by France coach Fabien Galthie despite a rip-roaring performance against Italy where he crossed for two tries and racked up 112.5 fantasy points.
In real life, Damian Penaud starts ahead of Thomas due to his reliability under the high ball and an expected kicking barrage from Ireland in Dublin but the explosive Racing 92 winger is likely to come off the bench and with 15 tries in just 23 games for his country, evidently knows where the try-line is.
He’ll make metres with ball in hand, especially if France are chasing the game and Ireland know all about French wingers scoring last-gasp tries to break their hearts in Dublin (we’re looking at you Vincent Clerc in 2007), so perhaps history will repeat with the in-form Thomas?
Jack Willis (England)
If you’re backing England to maintain their impeccable record against Italy at Twickenham, then looking to the Red Rose bench for your SuperSub may not be a bad idea.
Scrum-half Dan Robson (8.9 stars) and utility back Max Malins (down as a fly-half in the fantasy game, 9.0 stars) are tempting but if you’re hoping to replicate Navidi’s heroics from a week ago, why not look to the back row?
Reigning English Premiership Player of the Season Jack Willis (9.8 stars) is a turnover machine for club side Wasps and an impressive carrier of the ball as well – if he gets given 30 minutes by Eddie Jones at Twickenham, or is pressed into early duty due to an injury, he could do a lot of damage.
Willis Halaholo (Wales)
In truth, there’s an element of luck to nailing your Supersub as you need the flow of the match to dictate that they get both the requisite game-time and an opportunity to shine. So why not take a risk and go for a real wildcard like uncapped Wales centre Willis Halaholo (11.0 stars)?
Yes, he’s unproven at international level but the Cardiff Blues man is a powerful, high-stepping, quick-footed midfield star for his club side who has been lighting up the Guinness PRO14 for a good few years now.
He’ll surely see game-time off the bench against Scotland at BT Murrayfield and if he has a debut to remember, then you could really benefit from having him as your SuperSub.
