For Pick 4 this week there are some intriguing options for Kicker, Defender, Ball Carrier and Superstar as we enter Super Saturday.
With star kicker Finn Russell out for Round 5, this opens things up. The most obvious choice is Thomas Ramos who has now registered 13 conversions, 8 penalties, 1 drop goal, 1017 metres kicked and 1 Player of the Match.
Although if he is too obvious for you, there is always Mr Reliable with the tee, Johnny Sexton. For those looking for a punt, Blair Kinghorn could be the man for you. Stepping into the shoes of Russell, he should be given kicking duty against Italy and will have plenty of opportunities to make an impact with the boot.
Defender remains an area where you need to look at both the big points around dominant tackles, and volume with those registering many tackles.
If you are looking for dominant tackles, leading the way remain Danilo Fischetti (with 8 dominant tackles), Lewis Ludlum (with 7), Maro Itoje (with 6) and Justin Tipuric (also with 6).
The high-volume guys are Matt Fagerson with 65 tackles, Thibaud Flament with 64 tackles, Gael Fickou with 57, Josh Van Der Flier and Taulupe Faletau with 51 each and Maro Itoje and Julian Marchand with 50 each.
Considering his balance between the volume of tackles and his number of dominant tackles, and also in what should be a very busy afternoon with wave after wave of Irish attack, I will again be going with Maro Itoje.
Ball Carrier remains the toughest to call. Do you go with a Scum Half for the Pick and Go points (Antoine Dupont leads with 21 pick and gos over the course of the tournament, almost double the amount of his closest rival, Jack Van Poortvliet on 11) or do you go with a big carrier from the Pack who will rack up the One out Drives (Top performers being Sebastian Negri, Pierre Schoeman, Cyril Baille and James Ryan) or do you go with a pacy winger or fullback for the metres carried and metres after contact (James Lowe, Duhan Van Der Merwe and Damian Penaud all leading the way). This week I’ll take a gamble and go with Dupont.
Lastly for the Superstar I am looking at three big attacking names, all of whom could make a massive impact. It will either be James Lowe, Damian Penaud or Duhan Van Der Merwe. All have potential for a huge haul. Outstanding in the early rounds, I think I will probably plump for Duhan when Saturday comes.
My Pick 4 team for Round Three
Kicker: Thomas Ramos (France)
Defender: Maro Itoje (England)
Ball Carrier: Antoine Dupont (France)
Superstar: Duhan Van Der Merwe (Scotland)
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