We’re now two rounds into the 2019 Guinness Six Nations and amid all the fierce competition and eye-catching results many players have caught the eye with standout performances.
The players are starting to establish their 2019 bodies of work on which to be assessed and perhaps none will be happier than those from Wales and England – both with two wins apiece.
Fantasy Rugby deliberations have been made all across Europe and as we approach Round Three we’re taking a look at the five most impressive backs in the Championship so far.
JONNY MAY
Where else can we start our rundown than with jet-heeled Englishman Jonny May?
Guinness Six Nations Player of the Round this week, wide man May grabbed the headlines in England’s 44-8 victory over France with a stunning hat-trick at Twickenham Stadium.
The 42-cap wing has long been an established performer for his country since making his debut in 2013 but has taken things up a notch over the last 12 months.
Things have continued to rise for the speedster in this year’s Championship where May has combined lightning-fast speed with rock-solid defence and superb ability under the high ball.
Unsurprisingly May leads the way in the Fantasy Team of the Week for Round Two with 117 points.
If you’re looking to transfer him into your team ahead of the clash against Wales then May will cost you 18.7 stars, but with four tries scored already can you afford to leave him out?
JOSH ADAMS
Occupying the other wing in the Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Team of the Week is Wales’ Josh Adams – who has started the Championship in blistering form.
Adams racked up 69.1 points from Round Two following a strong display in the win over Italy, touching down with a 53rd minute try for the first of his Championship.
The Worcester Warrior will only cost you 14 stars in Fantasy Rugby but has delivered form that belies that value, carrying for 137 metres already.
Another Welsh wing – George North – dazzled with two tries in the Round One win over France but Adams may have been more influential in the result, with several determined runs and the out-of-nowhere clean break that sparked Wales’ comeback.
JACOB STOCKDALE
Fantasy Rugby is all about picking players who are assured of game-time and assured of strong performances – step forward Jacob Stockdale.
Player of the Championship for his record-breaking performances last year, Stockdale has stood and delivered once again in the 2019 Championship with two impressive displays.
Ireland may have lost out to England in Round One but Stockdale was bright with ball in hand and turned the volume up to ten in Round Two with a scintillating try.
By the 16th minute at BT Murrayfield on Saturday the giant wing had already created a score for Conor Murray with one of his trademark chips, then produced a moment of magic as he timed his midfield run to perfection and seared his way to the line.
Only one player has beaten more defenders thus far in 2019 – Blair Kinghorn has beaten 11, Stockdale 10 – while the Ulster winger has also made the third-most metres in the Championship – 138.
BLAIR KINGHORN
Stockdale leads us on nicely to the man who leads the way in many of the statistics categories so far – Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn.
The first Guinness Six Nations Player of the Round this year, Kinghorn let his feet do the talking against Italy with his memorable hat-trick performance.
And starting from the bench in Round Two, Kinghorn was given an early introduction and produced another strong performance, displaying composure beyond his 22 years.
Kinghorn leads the way in terms of clean breaks (seven), metres made (191) and defenders beaten (11) – and all this for a man costing just 14.8 stars in Fantasy Rugby.
HENRY SLADE
Much like his teammate Jonny May, Henry Slade is a man who has enjoyed a superb last 12 months in an England shirt.
The 25-year-old made his debut in 2015 and his Championship debut in 2017 but has now put in a solid run of performances at centre for the first time.
The outside centre was magnificent in Round One in Dublin, touching down May’s kick-through on 65 minutes and then securing the bonus point with an acrobatic intercept with five minutes remaining.
Backing up that performance Slade makes it into the Guinness Six Nations Team of the Week for Round Two with 70.6 points attained for his star turn against France.
The Exeter Chiefs man jinked across the line for his third of the Championship and was the perfect foil for Owen Farrell in the centres, pinning Les Bleus back time after time with his laser-guided boot.
