Ahead of Round 1 of Autumn Nations Series, some tough decisions have to be made regarding your Fantasy Rugby team.
Seasoned Fantasy managers know all too well that selecting the ‘best’ players will not always guarantee you bragging rights come the end of the campaign.
Tactical decisions will ensure you eke out maximum points based on the fixtures for each round.
And with unlimited transfers available for no extra cost each week, it pays to be savvy and pick stars likely to perform well against their upcoming opposition.
So here are our tips for sure-fire points-grabbers and those you might want to think twice about naming in your starting XV.
START
Marcus Smith
Big points are available for picking players on the winning side and England are heavy favourites to rack up a big score against Argentina, despite Los Pumas impressing in the Rugby Championship.
And if Marcus Smith starts, as expected, there’s a big chance the Harlequins fly-half will grab the lion’s share of the points, especially after last year’s performances.
In his three appearances in the 2021 Autumn Nations Series, Smith had a 100% kick success (12/12) and scored a try against Tonga in a 28-minute cameo.
Stuart Hogg
Scotland were mere metres away from claiming victory over Australia at BT Murrayfield last weekend, and they welcome Fiji to Edinburgh this Saturday.
The Scots are undefeated at home against the Flying Fijians with an aggregate score of 151-66 over four matches.
Stuart Hogg became his nation’s all-time top try-scorer last November after crossing twice against South Africa and once against Japan.
The ex-Scotland captain won’t come cheap at 19.0 stars, but he should be worth every penny for Round 1.
Theo McFarland
Samoa‘s last two wins over Tier 1 nations came against Italy and while they haven’t tasted victory on Italian soil since 2001, they head to Padua this Saturday high on confidence.
Manu Samoa were undefeated as they won the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup in July and Saracens forward Theo McFarland has been a huge boost for Seilala Mapusua since his international debut last year.
The former Samoa basketball captain backed up an incredible maiden season in the Premiership with a sensational start to 2022/23.
The 27-year-old has scored three tries in seven unbeaten matches for Sarries so far and is an absolute steal at 12.0 stars.
SIT
Makazole Mapimpi
Ordinarily Makazole Mapimpi would be a shoo-in for any Fantasy Rugby team, but this might be one of the only times he should be left out.
With South Africa taking on world number ones Ireland on Saturday evening, there are safer bets out there for a starting winger.
Caleb Clarke, Duhan van der Merwe or Jack Nowell all face less imposing opposition and Nowell in particular is severely underpriced for the fixture against Argentina at just 12.0 stars.
Justin Tipuric
He may have made his return from a long-term injury, but don’t be rushing Justin Tipuric back into your selection.
The same goes for Tommy Reffell, who is a snip at 11.0 stars, as both take on the All Blacks at 3.15pm on Saturday.
Wales have struggled against New Zealand, and it would take a brave Fantasy player to predict a first Welsh win since 1953.
Granted, Ian Foster’s men had a tough time against Japan in a 38-31 victory, but the big guns are back and raring to go in Cardiff.
James Slipper
James Slipper retained the captaincy for Australia’s 16-15 win over Scotland and the prop more than pulled his weight.
But despite a crucial try in Edinburgh, the 33-year-old will do well to repeat the feat against Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam champions France.
You would be better placed to swap the Wallabies skipper in for the following week, when Dave Rennie’s squad travel to Florence.
