Fantasy Rugby points will be on the line once again this weekend as the second round delivers two more blockbuster Women’s Six Nations ties in a Saturday double-header.
The action begins in Italy where the Azzurre will raise the curtain on their 2021 Championship by welcoming defending champions England to the Stadio Plebiscito in Padova.
England enjoyed an eight-try 52-10 win over Scotland in Round 1 and could secure their place at the top of Pool A with another win, sealing their berth in the silverware showpiece in the process.
Ireland will then make their first appearance of this year’s Championship away to Wales, who will be looking to bounce back immediately from their 53-0 defeat to France.
But which players will earn you Fantasy Rugby points? To help with your selection headaches, here are four backs we reckon should find their way into your XV’s…
Jess Breach (England) – 18.6 stars
While 2020 Player of the Championship Emily Scarratt seems like the obvious choice for the Red Roses, the opening weekend highlighted why Jess Breach is a must have.
The electrifying winger was in superb form against Scotland, racking up an almighty 112.8 fantasy points for Simon Middleton’s side as they began their campaign in impressive fashion.
Breach scored one of the eight tries for the hosts at Castle Park while she also covered 156 metres, made eight tackle breaks and two tackles to in an all-action display.
And the omens look good for Breach to add to her try tally again this weekend, having crossed the whitewash against Italy in last year’s 54-0 win as England sealed the title.
Sara Barattin (Italy) – 14.0 stars
You will struggle to find a safer bet this weekend than Italian stalwart Sara Barattin, who has been a fixture for her country in the Women’s Six Nations for more than a decade.
The scrum-half made her Championship debut in 2007 and has only missed a handful of games since, orchestrating the Azzurre attack with her wealth of experience.
Gabrielle Vernier voted Women’s Six Nations Player of Round 1
A very reasonable option at just 14.0 stars, she will likely be in the thick of the action against the Red Roses as Italy look to upset the odds against the reigning champions in Padova.
With five tries to her name from 65 Championship appearances, her strike rate might not be the highest but her threat with the ball in hand will provide valuable Fantasy Rugby points.
Robyn Wilkins (Wales) – 10.6 stars
The new Wales era under Warren Abrahams experienced a bump in the road in France on the opening weekend of the Championship as the hosts ran in eight tries to win 53-0 in Vannes.
Wales struggled to get going in the game and as such, we did not learn too much about which of their players might bring home the points for Fantasy Rugby players this year.
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But there were glimpses of promise over the 80 minutes and in Robyn Wilkins, Wales possess a player capable of doing something special as they look to bounce back immediately against Ireland in Cardiff.
She will win her 50th cap on Saturday and while most of her previous appearances have come at centre or fly-half, she is more than capable of unlocking defences from full-back when she is at her best.
Beibhinn Parsons – 15.0 stars
She may only have eight caps to her name but Beibhinn Parsons has already shown a nose for the tryline in the Women’s Six Nations since making her debut.
The 19-year-old has scored three tries in just five Championship appearances, which includes crossing the whitewash for Ireland in their 31-12 victory over Wales last year.
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Ireland captain Ciara Griffin even picked the exciting winger as one to watch in this year’s Championship so expect big things from the Ballinasloe native in 2021.
Another option to consider is full-back Eimear Considine, who costs 14.0 stars and has two tries to her name as well as countless metres from nine Championship appearances.
