This year is my first venture with fantasy rugby, when I was a player I didn’t get into it but now as a fan and commentator it’s extremely fun and interesting.
The Corbs League came about because we thought it was an opportunity to get fans involved with a chance to win an awesome prize – to win tickets to any game in 2019 Six Nations.
Play NatWest 6 Nations Fantasy Rugby here.
I think that’s an awesome prize and we will promote it in the US with NBC as well so fans over here can enter too, NatWest 6 Nations Fantasy Rugby is worldwide.
With a prize of two tickets to any venue means it’s going to be very competitive. For me, I think England v Ireland in Dublin could be fun in 2019.
I am expecting big things at Twickenham in the final round this year so there will be a score to settle for whoever wins this year’s match in London.
The Story So Far
I have been a bit hit and miss so far, I have been strong on some but I fancied Scotland in Round One against Wales and that came back to bite me.
A lot of the time it’s making tough calls and the guy who misses out comes through, I suppose it’s all educated guess work at the end of the day.
England losing in Edinburgh messed me up hugely, those two upsets hurt me the most. I try and favour in away sides if they can get a win.
Affordable Backline
At full-back I have gone for Liam Williams, as he starts for Warren Gatland against Italy and Wales are at home, even with the changes there’s a few Wales guys I’ve picked.
I think he is good value (13.95) too, Stuart Hogg came close as would Leigh Halfpenny if he was playing because he’s a good Fantasy option with his kicking ability.
I’ve put Steff Evans on the bench and I was going to go for George North but Evans was a bit cheaper (12.65) and could be on for some tries against Italy.
On the other wing I’ve put Sean Maitland as he’s a safe pair of hands, he can score tries and is a clever player, it’s a tough game for Scotland though going to Dublin which is why I have not picked too many Scots.
He’s only 13.90 stars though and I’ve gone for Jonny May on the other wing because he will hopefully get the away win bonus points out in France.
The centres was a tough one, at 12 I’ve got Hadleigh Parkes, he’s only 11.60 stars so very affordable should have got involved with front foot ball. I would like to see him rack up the points.
I’ve also got Keith Earls because you cannot ignore him at the moment, he’s been exceptional and is in sensational form. He’s putting in big performances so I have to pick him.
Kicking half-backs
It’s a tough call between Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell, both are expensive picks but with Farrell away from home I went for him.
France has got a good defence so his kicking could come into the equation for England.
At scrum-half I’ve got Greig Laidlaw for the goal-kicking option. He’s another who is away from home and for Scotland to play well he needs to control the game.
Gareth Anscombe is on my bench because he’s a very affordable goalkicker and against Italy will hopefully score plenty of points.
Money on the pack
I’ve gone for three big ball carriers in the back row with Nathan Hughes, Taulupe Faletau and CJ Stander. They are all going to have to be the primary carrier for their teams.
Ryan Wilson was in the mix as he’s very affordable but I went for John Barclay on the bench because he was immense against England.
I’ve picked Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury in the second row because England are going to have to be busy carrying a lot of ball, they should have a lot of that.
I have spent big there but I think it should pay off.
In the front row, I’ll go for Ben Arous Eddy and Cian Healy. The latter starts ahead of McGrath which is a relief and I favour Ireland for that Scotland game.
At hooker it’s Guirado Guilhem because he’s a really world class player, and can carry and earn turnovers for France at home against England.
