Women's

Fantasy Rugby: Four must-have forwards for your team in Round 2

Franco 2000
Round 2 of the Women’s Six Nations is fast approaching and it is crunch time for Fantasy Rugby managers.

Round 2 of the Women’s Six Nations is fast approaching and it is crunch time for Fantasy Rugby managers.

Whether you’re protecting a lead in your league or looking to make up lost ground following the opening weekend, Saturday’s two fixtures will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the bragging rights.

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England’s trip to Italy kicks off the action, with the Red Roses looking for the victory which would book their place in the grand final – but a determined Italian outfit hoping to make an impression in their first run-out of the Championship will ensure England do not have it all their own way.

Ireland are another side aiming to begin on a high and they travel to Wales, themselves eager for a response following defeat in France last time out.

To help with your selection headaches, here are four forwards we reckon should find their way into your XV’s…

Giada Franco (Italy) – 13.5 stars

Round 1 showcased the depth of talent among back-rowers in this year’s Championship and Giada Franco will relish the chance to show she deserves to be counted among the best of them.

A powerful ball carrier and solid tackler, Franco ticks plenty of boxes for Fantasy Rugby points and is no stranger to getting on the scoresheet, having dotted down against Scotland and Ireland in 2019.

Franco captained her country at the age of just 23 and has played a key role in some memorable Azzurre performances in recent years – could she inspire another against England on Saturday?

Bryony Cleall (England) – 14.3 stars

The Cleall twins are likely to feature heavily in many teams this weekend following their performances against Scotland last Saturday.

Bryony stood out among the front-rowers in action, earning 59.3 points for the Fantasy Rugby managers who selected her after a display which saw her make 67 metres, 12 tackles and cross for a score later voted the Try of Round 1.

It marked a dream international return for the prop, who has been to injury hell and back in recent years, and she will be eager to continue her momentum this weekend.

Siwan Lillicrap (Wales) – 12.7 stars

On a difficult for Wales in Vannes, their captain stood tall and continued to lead the charge.

Lillicrap made 77 metres from her eight carries and was the only Welsh forward to end with a positive Fantasy Rugby points tally after the opening weekend.

At 12.7 stars, the No.8 is excellent value and will be in the thick of the action once more in what should be a cracking contest against Ireland – who the 33-year-old scored against last year.

Cliodhna Moloney (Ireland) – 10 stars

Also on the scoresheet when Ireland met Wales in 2020 was Cliodhna Moloney, who crossed for one of her two tries in last year’s Championship.

That attacking threat coupled with crunching tackles and steady set-piece work make the 27-year-old a tempting pick at hooker – particularly at a price of just 10 stars.

Don’t just take our word for it – Ireland captain Ciara Griffin believes Moloney would be one of her first picks if she was selecting her Fantasy Rugby team.