If you are close to the top of the rankings, then it is time to go big to secure the all-important top spot in your mini-leagues.
Round 4 saw some huge performances, and fantasy managers will want to see the same from the likes of Ben Earl (scoring an incredible 72 points in Round 4 - Earl has beaten more defenders than any other player this tournament (20) and is second only to James Lowe for total metres carried), Damian Penaud (who looks to be returning to some form after a match that included 2 assists, 1 breakdown steal, 6 tackles, 8 defenders beaten and 131m carried) and Nolann Le Garrec (who ended his first international start on 33 fantasy points, comfortably the highest individual fantasy score of any Scrum Half in this year’s Championship).
The games come thick and fast on the final day of the Championship, so it’s time to take a look at who should be at the top of fantasy rugby consideration for Round 5.
Super Saturday will kick off with Wales v Italy, followed by Ireland v Scotland and wrapping up with France v England in Lyon. Running through the likely fantasy candidates from each match, starting with Wales v Italy.
Wales will be going into the final day desperate for a win and likely delivering the fantasy points will be Tommy Reffell. Reffell has been one of the most reliable fantasy performers throughout the Six Nations in 2024. This has been primarily down to his great work at the breakdown, where he leads the way with the overall highest number of breakdown steals in the Championship, currently recording 8 in total for the whole tournament. In defence he has been delivering too, he’s on 64 tackles, which is the third highest number in the tournament so far. In all, he is averaging a huge 31 points per game and is one of the safest fantasy selections on offer.
Elsewhere, Rio Dyer has been a consistent high scorer, averaging 26.5 points a game. This has largely been down to his high numbers of defenders beaten (15), metres carried (276) and his 2 tries. Other reliable options include Dafydd Jenkins (the second highest tackler all tournament with 67 tackles), and Alex Mann, reinstalled to the starting line-up and looking to make an impact against Italy.
Italy will be looking to end what has been a very strong campaign with a repeat of their 2022 victory against Wales. If this is to happen, you can be assured that captain Michele Lamaro will be central to delivering the win. Lamaro’s tackle stats are unsurpassed in this year’s tournament; he has made 82 tackles in this year’s tournament (15 more than his closest rival, the aforementioned Dafydd Jenkins). With 1 fantasy point per tackle and Lamaro averaging 20+ a match, he is a rich source of points. Italy’s Centres, Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex both made a huge impact in the win against Scotland and will be looking for more of the same agiant Wales. While Menoncello may be classified as Back Three player, he’s still delivering fantasy points from the Centre. In Round 4 he carried for 100m, beat 3 players, made 8 tackles and even recorded a breakdown steal.
Brex, Menoncello’s partner in the Centres was even more impressive, delivering a try, 12 tackles, 60m carried, a breakdown steal and a player of the match award. Italy’s highest average scorer in the tournament so far, Paolo Garbisi may well find himself making his way into many a fantasy team. In his 4 appearances in this year’s tournament he has registered 8 successful kicks, 2 assists, 233m carried, 6 defenders beaten, averaging 26.3 points per game. Finally, it is worth mentioning Ross Vintcent as a Supersub option. Vintcent was outstanding against Scotland making some eye-catching runs and he’ll surely make an impact in the latter stages against Wales.
Part two of Super Saturday sees Ireland welcoming Scotland to the Aviva Stadium, where a win will secure a back-to-back Six Nations Championship for Ireland. Ireland have named another loaded squad, and for many James Lowe will be the captain of choice this week. Despite being on the losing side against England, Lowe was clinical with his two tries. However, beyond those two, his stats were slightly lower across the board than usual, resulting in a total fantasy score of 29 points.
Bundee Aki made another huge impact against England. In his 3 appearances in this year’s Championship, Aki has averaged 32.7 points, including 269m carried, 10 defenders beaten and 27 tackles. Tadhg Beirne had a slightly disappointing game by his standards against England but remains the highest scoring second row in the game and should go well again in Round 5. At fly half, Jack Crowley will be looking to crown his breakthrough international tournament with another 30+ fantasy point performance. Finally, Garry Ringrose will make his return to the international stage off the bench this week and could be a smart Supersub option.
Scotland will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing defeat to Italy, but they have an uphill battle away to Ireland. One player looking to make an impact will be the most popular captain pick in Round 4, Duhan van der Merwe. Many were hoping last week for a repeat of his Round 3 heroics, but it was a tough afternoon for the Scottish winger. He was unable to score a try, although he still carried for 105m and beat 4 defenders, and if there is one player who can make an impact no matter the opposition, it is Van der Merwe. Finn Russell had another decent return, bringing in 28 fantasy points against Italy and he has consistently scored highly all tournament. Despite the tough opposition he should go well against Ireland.
One strong back row option to consider for Scotland is Jack Dempsey, who was Scotland’s highest scorer against Italy with 36 points, after 12 tackles, 8 defenders beaten and 89m carried. Pierre Schoeman delivered again against Italy with another try and he remains the highest-scoring Prop in the game.
And finally, to the climax in this year’s Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship in Lyon as France welcome England to Lyon. Both teams have blown hot and cold this year, in particular France. One player who has scored lower in the fantasy game than expected this year is Damian Penaud, However, against Wales he showed signs of returning to his best form. Despite not scoring a try, Penaud recorded his best fantasy return of the tournament so far with 48 points. He may have not scored but he did everything else including 2 assists, 1 breakdown steal, 6 tackles, 8 defenders beaten and 131m carried. It was a welcome return to form and bodes well for this week.
In Round 4, Gaël Fickou delivered yet again with a try and a 41-point return. Aided by his boot Thomas Ramos also delivered for fantasy managers and has now averaged 27.3 points a game all tournament and will be a safe selection against England. Grégory Alldritt returned from injury last week, and while he scored below his high standards, he is still worth strong consideration based on his performances in Rounds 1 and 2.
As for England, as mentioned above, Ben Earl has been in magnificent form all tournament and has got to be the first name on most fantasy teamsheets. In England’s backs, two of the more recent additions to the squad in this campaign, George Furbank and Ollie Lawrence, have made a massive impact and should be at the forefront of consideration this week. Furbank has scored 2 tries and carried for 201m in 2 games, while Lawrence was unlucky not to get 2 against Ireland and is starting to show strong signs of bringing his club form to the international level. Coming off the bench again this week will be Marcus Smith, and again he could be an outstanding Supersub option.
Good luck, and make sure you don’t miss the first match deadline on Saturday afternoon!
Fantasy Rugby Geek Top Picks for Round 5
Back Three: Thomas Ramos (France), Rio Dyer (Wales), Damian Penaud (France), James Lowe (Ireland),
Centre: George North (Wales), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Gael Fickou (France)
Fly-Half: Paolo Garbisi (Wales), Jack Crowley (Ireland)
Scrum-Half: Nolann Le Garrec (France), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Back Row: Ben Earl (England), Gregory Alldritt (France), Tommy Reffell (Wales), Michele Lamaro (Italy)
Second row: Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Thibaud Flament (France)
Prop: Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Ellis Genge (England), Danilo Fischetti (Italy)
Hooker: Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Jamie George (England)
Supersub: Ross Vintcent (Italy), Ronan Kelleher (Ireland), Marcus Smith (England)
Captain Pick: James Lowe (Ireland)
