It may be seven months later than initially anticipated but Super Saturday is nearly upon us and the official Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby game is back.
Whether it’s for bragging rights over your mates or ensuring you finish as high as possible in the overall ranks, getting your selections right from Scotland’s trip to Wales, England’s game against Italy in Rome and the decisive France v Ireland clash in Paris will be pivotal.
We reminded you how the game works HERE and now you know the rules, here are five must-have backs to select as part of your line-up.
CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE OFFICIAL GUINNESS SIX NATIONS FANTASY RUGBY GAME
Elliot Daly (England) – 15.5 stars
To become champions on Saturday, England are likely to need a bonus-point win in Italy and so you can expect them to come out all guns blazing in their bid to rack up the points.
That would suit Elliot Daly just perfectly. The Saracens star started the Championship on the left wing to make space for George Furbank at No.15 but reverted to full-back for home matches against Ireland and Wales.
A try in each suggests he’s right at home in the middle of the back three, with his blistering pace, intelligent support lines and eye for a try making him one of the most dangerous players in the Championship.
As England open the game up in search for points, expect Daly to thrive and potentially put up a score that can win a fantasy league almost all on its own.
He’s expensive but undoubtedly worth it.
Antoine Dupont (France) – 14.1 stars
Did you SEE Antoine Dupont against Wales last Saturday? Enough said.
The scrum-half scored two tries and was generally unplayable as Les Bleus eased to victory with a performance that suggests that, despite entering Super Saturday as firm underdogs in their quest for the title, they are up for the fight.
Dupont really is that good almost every week. He’s lightning quick, cute with the ball, accurate off both hands and a clever box-kicker.
France need points on Saturday and will have to attack. That’s music to Dupont’s ears.
Duhan Van der Merwe (Scotland) – 10 stars
Here’s an outside bet. Perhaps one for the bold punter willing to risk it all.
Duhan van der Merwe made his Scotland debut against Georgia on Friday night and scored a try, hinting that his domestic form can carry over to the international game.
The 25-year-old only became eligible this autumn after three years with PRO14 side Edinburgh but there’s enough tape to suggest Scotland could be onto a winner.
Van der Merwe is lighting quick, big and strong and capable of the spectacular. At ten stars, he’s relatively cheap but not yet known enough to warrant a heavy price tag.
Get in quick while you can!
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 12 stars
Sometimes, you just have to roll with the in-form horse and Hugo Keenan did more than enough to justify his 12-star rating in Ireland’s win against Italy.
Two tries on debut, Keenan will be buzzing with confidence ahead of Ireland’s trip to France – where the Men in Green need a bonus-point win to secure the title.
His two scores showed off his wide-ranging qualities, displaying power, strength and the ability to break tackles for the first, and speed, anticipation and a finisher’s instinct for the second.
And at 12 stars? Bargain.
George North (Wales) – 15.2 stars
In some scenarios, it’s just better to stick to the tried and tested and few players are more reliable at crossing the whitewash than George North.
The Wales winger has 40 tries in 96 Tests for Wales and his record against Scotland is, unsurprisingly, not too shabby.
North may have never scored against Scotland at BT Murrayfield but has four in his last three matches with them in Cardiff, including two in 2014.
That was also on the last day of the Championship. If you believe in omens, that’s a pretty good one.
CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE OFFICIAL GUINNESS SIX NATIONS FANTASY RUGBY GAME
